The last three decades have witnessed the art of goalkeeping getting a major facelift with the Premier League as the catapult of the said change.
The present-day foundation of the goalkeeper position is very different; the players in the gold position are much more versatile, for instance, they are required to control the ball, pass it precisely, and even act as an extra defender by cutting out the opponent’s attacks from the box before they reach the goal.
And to think, they even need to be in top condition than ever before.
However, notwithstanding the augmented yearly goalkeeper tasks that have included responsibilities – the goalkeeper’s predominant duty is to save the goal from entering the goal.
The most successful goalkeepers are typically those who are not just physical specimens; their aim is replete with attributes such as agility, quick-inducing reflexes, strength, and spatial awareness; their abilities are also strong as a fortified laser-like focus, anticipation, courage, and leadership qualities.
Therefore, the query one has to give thought to is which has been the best among them. This list applauds the goalkeepers who have been skilful masters of these skills and have ruled the beautiful game since Premier League inception.
1. Peter Schmeichel

His name alone is sending shivers down the spines of Premier League strikers past and present.
With an incredible 310 appearances and 128 clean sheets under his belt, the Danish legend is widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history.
Schmeichel was an attacking figure in his goal, with an unmatched presence and shot-stopping ability. His iconic “starfish” save will remain in the memories of football fans across the world.
While some hold that the introduction of the back-pass rule exposed a flaw in Schmeichel’s game, he had advocated for the amendment to be effected for the longest time, saying it was capable of breaking new ground in the beautiful game.
And he revolutionized it; his influence on the art of goalkeeping pervades today.
A key factor in Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful Manchester United team, Schmeichel picked up a remarkable five Premier League titles with the club, including that historic treble in 1999.
And, in a remarkable display of his all-round ability, Schmeichel even managed to score a goal for Aston Villa against Everton in 2001 – a feat no Premier League goalkeeper had achieved before.
Truly, a game legend.
2. Petr Čech

The Czech legend is the undisputed king of clean sheets in the Premier League, with 202 to his name.
Incredibly consistent and brilliantly agile to boot, his ability to prevent shots was the key that opened the door for Chelsea to dominate the Premier League and win four titles between the years 2004 and 2015.
No goalkeeper has ever had a refulgent season like Petr Cech did in his debut season in 2004/05 for Chelsea.
He made a record of keeping the most clean sheets in a single season, which was 24, and had an astonishing 10-game unbeaten run without having conceded a goal.
But what is equally interesting is the fact that he managed those 443 appearances over some time in the English top flight. His commitment, excellence, and versatility in goal meant he reigned almost unopposed at the top of the game for close to 20 years.
No wonder the great Iker Casillas hailed Cech as “one of the best goalkeepers he has ever seen.”
Cech’s legacy today seems to inspire a new generation of goalkeepers, his records testifying to his talent, and immense contribution to the beautiful game.
3. David Seaman

The epitome of consistency and class in the goal.
He made 344 Premier League appearances, clocked 140 clean sheets, and exemplified the English goal-keeping tradition at its very best.
An incredible shot-stopper with great calm in his deportment, Seaman was a great presence behind the Gunners’ defence, helping the team win two Premier League titles.
But he wasn’t the most comfortable person with the ball at his feet, a trait common in the keepers of his time. With exceptional reflexes and anticipation, only a few, if any, doubted his unbeatability in one-on-one situations.
His extremely calm and cool demeanour also had the effect of rubbing off on the entire Arsenal back four so much so that they always felt safe and assured whenever he was protecting the goal.
This was only felt when Petr Cech joined the club years later. Off the pitch, Seaman famously epitomized the term, a gentleman, He was one of the most revered yet respected figures from the fans, players, and pundits.
His record as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League to date remained intact, and no matter what was said, his part in Arsenal’s success in the 1990s and early 2000s lives long in the memory of the Gunners.
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4. Edwin van der Sar

The Dutchman who found his lost mojo in the most improbable of places.
After a two-year opening spell at Juventus that didn’t quite work out, Van der Sar arrived at Fulham in 2001, with a point to prove. Prove it he did—127 appearances for the Cottagers—and the Dutchman single-handedly helped them punch above their weight in the Premier League.
His terrific performances while at Craven Cottage gave him a second opportunity at the helm with Manchester United, where he became an integral part of the core that took the Red Devils to the lead in the middle of the 2000s.
Four Premier League titles followed among other honours as Van der Sar’s outstanding shot-stopping and consistency saw him voted one of the world’s finest.
Indeed, many considered him the first truly world-class stopper in Old Trafford since the days of Peter Schmeichel’s heroics.
And it’s really hard to argue with that, given the fact he has averaged an unbelievable clean sheet average of 42.17%.
The career of Van der Sar is a true proof of dedication, hard work, and the ability to adapt and excel in any situation. He would be forever attached to history as one of the best keepers to grace the Premier League.
5. David De Gea

Little did anyone know, though, the incredible journey he was about to embark on when he arrived at Old Trafford back in 2011. A slender frame and shaky early performances cast doubt over his ability, but De Gea was determined to prove his doubters wrong.
And prove them wrong he did. By 2013, he was a Premier League champion, and throughout his United career, he racked up an amazing 147 clean sheets in 415 appearances.
Again and again, De Gea made breathtaking saves that snatched his team points, and he has become reputed as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Even when the rest of the form dipped, he developed a worrying routine of the back-at-the-wall performance to shut everyone up.
The 2022/23 season is a great demonstration that prompted him to make known his everlasting class as he won the Golden Glove with 17 clean sheets, three better than the next closest goalkeeper.
His 1,157 saves in the Premier League are the testimony of his incredible reflexes and shot-stopping ability.
And finally, as De Gea embarks on his new journey, miles away from Manchester United, his fans will remember it all with some warmth—this miraculous journey that took this fragile youngster and nurtured him into the legendary icon of the club.
His legacy is now assured as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the top flight.
6. Ederson

Having won six Premier League titles with over 120 clean sheets under his belt, He has become one of the division’s all-time greats.
Ederson can be termed the modern goalkeeper touchstone: confident, composed, and capable of launching quick counter-attacks with his trademark distribution. His three assists in the league so far stand as an indication of the vision and skill he commands with the ball at his feet.
The occasional lapses in concentration on Ederson’s part have eventually cost his team a few clean sheets. But for those, he might have been higher on this list.
Nevertheless, his stats and accolades are something different. He’s the third-quickest goalkeeper in the history of the Premier League to reach 100 clean sheets, just slightly behind two legends who’ll be revealed later.
And when you are the final man for a Manchester City side that has a free-flowing attack, Ederson’s importance cannot be quantified.
He’s managed to balance the shot-stopper with playmaker acts under this employment of Pep Guardiola. Should the shine go on at a similar rate, Ederson could yet surpass all the goalkeeping greats currently sitting above him on this list.
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7. Jens Lehmann

The lovably eccentric goalkeeper who brought a touch of chaos to the beautiful game.
The unpredictable Lehmann was capable of producing breathtaking saves and even sparking a tunnel brawl—many remember the water-throwing escapade at Highbury.
But behind the madness, Lehmann was a rock.
In a season that is said to be the Arsenal club’s best season ever, during the 2003/04 undefeated season, he kept 21 clean sheets in 38 games for Arsenal to go on and win the league title without losing a match.
At his best, Lehmann could be an imposing figure, able to play mind games with opposition forwards and often got them to question their abilities.
His unorthodox style and mercurial nature may have knocked him down a peg or two on this list, but let’s be honest – it’s also what makes him so endearing to fans and so infuriating to opponents.
8. Alisson

Who can forget the drama of his late header in May 2021 that won Liverpool the game over West Brom – helping the club to a top-four finish and solidifying his place as one of the most iconic goalkeepers in the division’s history?
He has developed a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the English Premier League, keeping 82 clean sheets from 185 appearances, a clean-sheet ratio only rivalling Manchester City’s Ederson.
Ederson will always maintain a more yielding clean sheet ratio compared to Alisson, but once more, the Brazilian has been key to the backline since his break-through at Liverpool, more so in the 2019/20 season.
What makes Alisson different, then, is his complete comfort on the ball; a major ability in the modern game.
Distribution, coupled with composure under pressure, has since transformed Liverpool’s defensive organization—the two best reasons Alisson might be considered an indispensable asset to the system of Jürgen Klopp.
How high can he climb with those performances, minutes, and saves on that list? There is no limit to this soon-to-be Premier League legend.
9. Joe Hart

A good stint at Manchester City, having collected 109 of his 127 total clean sheets in the Premier League, contributed to winning two league titles.
Hart was at his prime—agile, vocal, and sometimes he could perform jaw-dropping saves that dumfounded fans and opponents in equal measure.
His only weakness was often exploited by opponents: shots down the left side.
Yet even towards the very end of his Premier League career with Burnley, Hart had made an amazing 77 saves – one more than Liverpool’s Alisson.
While his career may not have ended on the high note many expected, Hart’s legacy as one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers remains intact.
His stats and trophy cabinet, in general, are a reminder of this talent, with his dedication to this sport continuing to be likely.
10. Pepe Reina

An interesting stat behind the records, Reina has an impressive 45.79% clean-sheet rate.
Playing under one of the greatest managers of all time surely had something to do with it, but credit must be given to Reina for the help in reaching this strange number.
He was one of the innovators of the sweeper-keeper style, comfortable holding the ball at his feet and launching attacks.
Reina was the acrobatic type, his style of saving shots just like the free Willy jump of the famous killer whale—so awesome and breathtaking.
But his inconsistency and spells of madness curbed an even greater career.
A slight decline in form towards the end of his Liverpool stint and a less-than-stellar return with Aston Villa also denied him the chance to go past the top nine goalkeepers in this list.
Still, this does little to tarnish Reina’s work as one of the best goalkeepers the Premier League has ever laid eyes on.
Other Great Goalkeepers in Premier League History

David James
Hugo Lloris
Brad Friedel
Tim Howard
Jussi Jaaskelainen
Mark Schwarzer
Neville Southall
Paul Robinson
Carlo Cudicini
Nigel Martyn
Thomas S.

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