They say you have to be mad to be a goalkeeper – and ‘they’ are right.
You get to use your hands, you elect yourself into a union that isn’t even officially a union, you have to stand around and keep yourself locked in for most of a game.
But they’re still crucial to the game. They’re the ones who do the real dirty work for their sides, after all.
Here are our picks for the ten best goalkeepers in the Premier League – ranked.
Schmeichel remains a key figure at Leicester / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
One of just four goalkeepers on this list to actually win the Premier League, Schmeichel is still one of Leicester’s best players at the age of 35.
Would you believe he’s now made over 450 appearances for the Foxes? Incredible consistency since being promoted in way back in 2014.
Smilie for the camera / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
Jose Sa had a pretty tough job coming in to replace the excellent Rui Patricio, but he’s been crucial in Wolves’ efforts to become one of the Premier League’s toughest teams to break down.
Bruno Lage’s side have conceded just 16 Premier League goals this season – only leaders Manchester City have a tighter defensive record.
Fabianski is as reliable as ever / Steve Bardens/GettyImages
Like every goalkeeper who’s left Arsenal this century, Lukasz Fabianski has gone from strength to strength since departing the Gunners.
Now into his 15th Premier League season, the Pole has managed to keep the impressive Alphonse Areola out of the side and keep his place between the sticks for West Ham.
Pickford’s stock has risen / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages
It’s been roughly a year since the last high profile ‘oh my word what is he doing’ Jordan Pickford blunder, enjoying a stellar 2021 for club and country.
Everton may be rather rubbish nowadays, but at least he can enjoy a spot in this ranking – and that’s the real quiz.
Martinez has announced himself on the global stage / Michael Regan/GettyImages
Who would have thought the biggest ‘Sliding Doors’ moment in the career of Emiliano Martinez would have been Neal Maupay barging into Bernd Leno on a humid June afternoon?
Now a full Argentina international and one of the world’s top stoppers, Martinez recently signed a new long-term contract at Aston Villa.
De Gea has been one of Man Utd’s best players for a decade / Naomi Baker/GettyImages
David de Gea couldn’t have been optimistic about his Man Utd prospects at the end of the 2020/21 season – backup keeper Dean Henderson was getting plenty of first team opportunities, and when brought back in for the Europa League final, missed the decisive spot kick after conceding 11 straight Villarreal penalties.
But true to form, De Gea has largely been United’s best player this term, saving them from disaster time and time again.
Lloris has signed a new two-year deal at Spurs / Craig Mercer/MB Media/GettyImages
Like De Gea, Hugo Lloris has put his error-strewn recent past behind him to peak again at the top level, proving a decisive figure at Spurs on and off the pitch.
For some reason, the poor bloke signed a new contract that means he’ll have spent over 10 years of his prime trying to stop Tottenham Hotspur from conceding goals. At least he captained France to a World Cup, I guess.
Ederson has better distribution than a lot of outfielders / Visionhaus/GettyImages
One can only imagine the euphoria Pep Guardiola must have felt when he watched Ederson for the first time in his life, knowing that this was the goalkeeper he’s spent his whole career searching for.
The Brazilian may not be the greatest shot stopper but that’s not as important for a club like Man City, with Ederson effectively acting as an 11th outfielder most of the time.
Mendy has been imperious for Chelsea / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
You’d expect the great Petr Cech to have a good eye for a goalkeeper, and boy did he find Chelsea a gem in Edouard Mendy.
Recently the recipient of The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award for 2021, Mendy has quickly established himself as one of the world’s best players in any position, let alone his own.
Alisson remains the top dog / Marco Canoniero/GettyImages
Perhaps best demonstrated by his performance in Liverpool’s weekend win over Crystal Palace, Alisson is still the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
He has the perfect mix of positioning, leadership, distribution and experience needed to be a world class stopper and he’s showing no sign of slowing down.