Who is The Best Goalkeeper in the Premier League? The Stats Don’t Lie! | OneFootball

When Aston Villa goalkeeper, Emi Martinez denied Dominguez from point-blank range earlier this season, it was more than just a save, to many it was the best Premier League save, ever. But does that make him the Premier League’s best? The game of football has changed. The simplicity of a post-game discussion based around what players played well are a distant memory and have been replaced by figures and facts. We have gone from Pundits talking about pace and power, to underlying data and expected goals.

Game plans have been modernised, and players are expected to be able to do a lot more than what had been expected of them in previous years. One role that has changed in particular is the role of the goalkeeper. A goalkeeper is not only expected to be a shot stopper now, but someone who is integrated into the team, as an option. They’re a footballer, a goalplayer, not just a goalkeeper.

The Evolution of the Modern Goalkeeper

Prior to the foundation of the Premier League in 1992, the job of the goalkeeper was simple. Stop shots, kick the ball as far as you can, and organise your defence. Defined simply by Peter Schmeichel’s heroics in the European Championships in 1992. He typified the role of the goalkeeper back then through his magnificent shot stopping abilities, his leadership, and game management skills in defending a lead.

This all changed with the introduction of the Back Pass Law. A goalkeeper’s job had been redefined and so began the revolution of the goalkeeper’s role. This change immediately made some goalkeepers relics of the past. In modern times, goalkeeper’s are judged off many aspects of their game and have been, in some instances, likened to quarter-backs in their position.

The attack begins with the goalkeeper and how they restart the game. For instance, Liverpool play 85% of their kick outs to players in their own half while Man City have a similar figure of 83%, according to statistics from Opta. The days of kicking it long to your centre forward are long gone and have been replaced with intricate reset routines.

What is the Best?

What truly defines a goalkeeper as ‘the best’? Alisson Becker and Ederson have long been celebrated as the Premier League’s elite, often stealing headlines with match-winning saves and remarkable consistency. Their brilliance has undoubtedly been pivotal in their teams’ successes. But does their reputation alone guarantee they are the league’s best?

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It’s tempting to assume that a team’s strong defensive record is purely down to the goalkeeper. However, this can be misleading. These theories are often misconstrued, as a solid defence aids these results and performances. There is obviously nuance to it, as an interception due to sweeping can stop a shot, which does not positively impact some of these statistics.

So, who actually is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League right now? This question can be in a roundabout way answered and camouflaged behind defensive stats or records. Based on statistics provided by FBRef, let’s identify who, in fact, is currently the best in the Premier League with regards to the stats that matter. We will rank the top five goalkeepers, in each of the following areas, in order to prove who the best goalkeeper in the league is at this moment in time.

In order to determine who the current top goalkeeper is, we will reward points for their respective ranking:

1- Goals Against / 90 Minutes

In other words: Amount of goals conceded per 90 minutes played.

Liverpool’s number one tops the rankings with the least amount of goals conceded per 90 minutes played this season. Alisson has been the league’s best in recent seasons and his dominance between the sticks is highlighted by Liverpool’s strong season so far. Fellow teammate and Ireland goalkeeper, Caoimhín Kelleher, also ranks within the top five after his string of games in the Brazilians absence.

2- Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed per 90 minutes.

In other words: Expected goals based on how likely the keeper is to save the shot per 90 minutes. Positive numbers suggest better luck or an above average ability to stop shots.

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Leicester City are fighting for the lives this season and Mads Hermansen has done his part to instil confidence within the team. He leads the way in goals expected per 90 minutes played, ahead of some top Premier League goalkeepers. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario claims the second spot. His absence in recent weeks has been keenly felt, with Spurs struggling to replicate the defensive stability he brought earlier in the season.

3- Save Percentage (%).

In other words: Percentage of saves made by shots on target.

Chelsea’s number one, Robert Sánchez, surprisingly leads the league in save percentage, showcasing his ability to handle the shots that come his way. While his season hasn’t been without its shaky moments, Sánchez’s impressive stats underline why Enzo Maresca continues to place his trust in him between the sticks.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has been a revelation since joining Bournemouth. His sharp reflexes and shot-stopping prowess have been instrumental in propelling the Cherries into contention for a European spot, proving he still has plenty to offer at the top level.

4- Passes Completed.

In other words: Passes Completed over 40 yards.

Passing would not be associated with goalkeepers regularly, however, it has become and critical part of the modern game. As seen through the stats, it is a strong part of Jordan Pickford’s game and one that David Moyes will look to employ. He currently has made 28 more passes (over 40 yards) than his closest rival and it highlights Everton’s dependency on the English goalkeeper.

5- Errors Leading to a Goal per 90 minutes.

In other words: How many errors were made by the goalkeeper, leading to a goal conceded per 90 minutes played.

Consistency is vital in goalkeeping, as even the smallest error can have a massive impact on a team’s confidence and results. This season has already seen its fair share of high-profile mistakes, but Dean Henderson has remained a pillar of reliability. With zero errors leading to goals, Henderson stands out as one of the most dependable goalkeepers in the league. Although tied in this category with Aaron Ramsdale and Alisson Becker, Henderson’s record is particularly impressive given that he has played every single game for Crystal Palace this season. His error-free performances have been a key factor in Palace’s defensive stability. Could this consistency tempt Thomas Tuchel to make him his number one for England?

The Best Goalkeeper in the Premier League

Matz Sels stands out as the Premier League’s top goalkeeper this season, and it’s hard to argue otherwise. He has helped guide Nottingham Forest into a title race and is showing brilliant consistency this season. Allison Becker, who has constantly been in the discussion as the league best keeper, lies in second place despite only playing 13 games this season. David Raya and Łukasz Fabiański both feature in three of the top five of these categories but third place is awarded to the Spaniard having played 9 more games. Dean Henderson makes up the top five and he has impressed between the sticks for Crystal Palace this season.

The role of a goalkeeper is unique, often the last line of defence, yet the first to face blame when things go wrong. In recent week’s we have seen many blunders from goalkeepers that have affected their side, highlighting the importance that this role entails in a team. The top five goalkeepers that are shown above have demonstrated their ability and class on many occasions this season.

Ultimately, a great goalkeeper is judged not just by clean sheets or save percentages but by their influence on their team’s fortunes. As the Premier League season unfolds, there’s every chance the rankings may shift, but for now, Matz Sels sits at the summit—a deserving acknowledgment of his outstanding campaign so far.

With every save, every pass, and every pressure-filled moment, these goalkeepers remind us why their position is so crucial to the game we love. As the weeks go by, it will be intriguing to see how the battle for the top spot develops and whether another name can emerge to challenge Sels’ crown.