Goalkeepers are often the most underrated players in a team. They are never meant to win games but more often than not they end up saving games for teams. They are criticised for the smallest errors but often overlooked for individual awards even if they deserve it.
2016 provided us with quite a few stunning performances from goalkeepers in the Premier League. From surprise performances from Randolph and Heaton to Courtois returning to his best form, the race for the best goalkeeper in the league got more interesting as de Gea fumbled in a few matches this season.
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We look at the 5 best and the most consistent keepers in the Premier League in 2016:
#5 Heurelho Gomes
The former Tottenham goalkeeper has been a star performer for Watford over the past 18 months. Gomes was first brought to the Premier League by Spurs who bought him for £7.8 million from PSV. After three seasons of being the first-choice goalkeeper, Spurs realised they needed someone who is less error prone to compete with the top teams. He was soon relegated to third choice behind Hugo Lloris and Brad Friedel.
After a short loan spell at Hoffenheim, the Brazilian was signed by Watford in 2014 while they were in the Championship. Playing every single game in the 2014-15 season, he was crucial in Watford’s promotion to the Premier League.
Over the last year, Gomes has reduced his errors considerably. In 2016, Gomes has made an average of 2.7 saves per game, saving Watford from a sure loss on quite a few occasions. Having played every single game for Watford, he has kept 6 clean sheets this year in the league. Although that number is below par, it’s down to Watford’s weak defence rather than his performances.
(Video Courtesy: XWS Ultimate Football YouTube Channel)
#4 Hugo Lloris
The French goalkeeper was signed by Spurs to replace the error-prone Heurelho Gomes himself. Lloris signed for Tottenham Hotspur on 31 August 2012 for €10 million and additional €5 million in variables.
Within weeks of joining, he settled into the squad quickly. Being a sweeper keeper, he established himself as the third centre-back at times. He was also named the French first choice captain around the same period and he grew in confidence with each passing game. Over the years, he has proved to be one of the best keepers in the world.
The 29-year-old keeper had another good year as he saved Spurs on various occasions. With nearly 2 saves per game in 2016, Lloris has been called for duty frequently and more often than not, he has been up for it. He has been MOTM on multiple occasions but his consistency has been the biggest issue.
Lloris has often conceded goals due to petty errors and that has often been his undoing. But his game saving ability often masks his errors and a club like Spurs can hardly ask for a better keeper.
(Video Courtesy: COYS Mate05 Football YouTube Channel)
#3 Petr Cech
The former Chelsea star moved to London rivals, Arsenal, in a shock move in the summer of 2015. The Arsenal defence needed an experienced hand at the back and Cech was brought in as the calming influence in their frantic defence.
Cech struggled a bit at the start of the season, letting in some easy goals. But soon he found his old form and raised the level of the Arsenal defence. After years of having goalkeepers like Almunia and Szczesny, Arsenal have finally found a goalkeeper good enough to go for the title charge.
The 34-year-old has kept a total of 12 clean sheets this year. He has made an average of 2.15 saves per game including quite a few match saving ones. Cech has also been the man of the match for 15 times this year in the league. He is not perfect, often conceding near post goals which could be saved, but he has, without a doubt, set the standards for the future goalkeepers for Arsenal.
(Video Courtesy: GAEBBA YouTube Channel)
#2 Thibaut Courtois
Considered as the second best keeper after Neuer, Courtois arrived at Chelsea after his loan period with Atletico Madrid, with big expectations on him.
Courtois settled in within weeks and in no time, took over as the Chelsea first choice. A season later, Cech was sold and Courtois was the undisputed No. 1. Mysteriously, Courtois’ performances took a large dip. Suspensions, injuries and poor performances took over and he was dropped for Begovic.
However, at the start of 2016, Courtois gradually returned to the fold again. While the first half of the year wasn’t quite merry, he has returned to his old form in the 2016-17 season. He has kept a total of 14 clean sheets this year, including 10 this season itself in the league. He has been the keeper of the week for 15 weeks this year.
If the 24-year-old Belgian continues this form, he will surely regain his status as the best keeper in the league.
(Video Courtesy: LINUSHJOHANSEN YouTube Channel)
#1 David de Gea
The lanky Spanish goalkeeper has somehow stayed at Manchester United after years of speculation regarding his dream move to Real Madrid. At the age of 26, he has established himself as the undisputed best keeper in the league and is competing for Manuel Neuer’s crown.
David de Gea continued his immense form in the 2015-16 season. He was called up multiple times by Manchester United’s shaky defence to save them and de Gea was up to the task each and every time. At the end of the season, he won United’s player of the year award for the third time in a row becoming only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve that.
At the start of 2016-17 season, de Gea committed too many errors for a player of his stature. Over the past year, de Gea has kept 14 clean sheets and an average of 1.9 saves per game including uncountable world class saves.
Without a doubt, de Gea has maintained his status as the best keeper in the league this year.
(Video Courtesy: Rafael Football YouTube Channel)
