The top five goalkeepers in Premier League history
Every team needs a solid, reliable goalkeeper. Whether you’re fighting for the title or desperately trying to overcome the Premier League relegation odds, having someone who can be trusted between the sticks is hugely important.
We’ve been blessed to see a number of memorable goalkeepers grace the Premier League over the last 30 years or so. Here, we’ve put together a list of our top five.
Peter Schmeichel
Many would consider Peter Schmeichel to be the greatest Premier League goalkeeper of all time, and although plenty of people might argue the case for someone else, you can’t argue with Schmeichel’s record.
As the goalkeeper who helped Manchester United win the treble in 1999, the Dane has a special place in the heart of supporters, and his memorable saves — and goals — will live long in the memory of Premier League followers.
David James
Second in the list of all-time clean sheet makers, David James is a true Premier League stalwart. Having made 572 appearances in the Premier League in total, James’ career encompassed a variety of clubs, with plenty of highlights along the way. From his early days at Liverpool to establishing himself in Harry Redknapp’s talented Portsmouth team, and of course playing up front for Manchester City, James had a rich and memorable career.
David Seaman
For Arsenal fans, David Seaman is a goalkeeper who will forever be remembered for his heroics in the Highbury goal. Helping the Gunners to a number of Premier League titles, Seaman was a reliable pair of hands between the sticks.
Seaman helped Arséne Wenger’s side claim a variety of honours, and there’s no denying that he is one of the best goalkeepers ever to have graced the Premier League. Now a much-loved pundit with a penchant for a hearty chuckle, Seaman’s legacy as a cracking goalkeeper deserves to be recognised.
Petr Cech
Sitting pretty with 202 clean sheets, Petr Cech is one of the classiest operators between the sticks that we have seen in the history of the Premier League. Arriving at Chelsea in 2004, just before José Mourinho masterminded successive league titles, Cech became a crucial member of the Stamford Bridge side.
Chelsea’s impressive defensive record in that time was due in large part to Cech’s domineering presence in goal. Throughout his time in the Premier League, Cech’s levels of performance remained consistently high, and he deserves his reputation as one of the game’s best stoppers.
Edwin van der Sar
Any goalkeeper who wins three successive Premier League titles deserves recognition on this kind of list. Having struggled to find a safe pair of hands for a few years prior, Van der Sar’s arrival at Old Trafford was exactly what Manchester United needed at the time.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side went on to win the title in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 with Van der Sar in goal, and the Dutchman became a reliable presence in the Old Trafford goal. Even more impressive was the fact that he produced such top performances in his late 30s when many goalkeepers might be on the decline.
