Ranking all Premier League goalkeepers from best to worst

Goalkeeper may be the trickiest position on a football pitch, but in the Premier League, there’s nowhere to hide.

Whether you’re gunning for the title or hoping to stay up by the skin of your teeth, a top goalkeeper can make all the difference come the end of the season.

This year has once again highlighted the best and worst of those between the sticks, with Andre Onana’s recent mishaps in goal for Manchester United making headline news shortly after being caught up in a feud with ex-Red Devils midfielder Nemanja Matic.

But who are the worst ‘keepers in the Premier League right now? For this list, we’ve taken into account the level of their performances and whether they meet the required standards of their current team.

1

David Raya

Arsenal

This may be a controversial shout, but David Raya has arguably been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players in a season littered with selection issues.

The Spaniard totally vindicated Mikel Arteta’s decision to install him as the Gunners No 1 last season, and has continued to shine in goal at the Emirates Stadium, excelling at the top level.

Not only has he proved an effective barrier at the back, but he has produced some outstanding saves this term, the finest probably coming against Aston Villa back in August.

2

Matz Sels

Nottingham Forest

Matz Sels has been a delight for Nottingham Forest this season, epitomising his team’s role as the division’s surprise package by becoming one of the Reds’ most important players as they seek Champions League football.

At the time of writing, he is also in line to receive the Golden Glove, earning two more clean sheets (13) than Arsenal’s Raya (11) with just six games remaining.

Simply put, Forest wouldn’t rather have anyone else in goal than the Belgian.

3

Alisson

Liverpool

Liverpool have given very little away this season, and only Arsenal have conceded fewer than the Reds this term.

While stand-in Caoimhin Kelleher has been impressive for Arne Slot’s side, there’s no doubting the class of No 1 Alisson in goal, recording eight clean sheets to go with his daunting presence between the sticks.

One imagines Liverpool wouldn’t be quite so comfortable at the top without the security provided by the Brazilian.

4

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa

As the current Yashin Trophy holder, it’s difficult to criticise Emi Martinez too much, as for all of his wind-up antics and dodgy dancing, the Argentinian has continued to be a useful blockade in front of the Aston Villa goal.

Now highly experienced following his exploits on the international stage and in the Champions League, Martinez has matured – loosely speaking – into one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

While his Argentina links may help him win the big awards, it’s difficult to argue about his status among his peers.

5

Jordan Pickford

Everton

One of just three top-flight goalkeepers into double figures for clean sheets at the time of writing, it would have been easy to write Jordan Pickford’s season off midway through the campaign.

That said, Pickford had shone for Everton even prior to David Moyes’ return to Merseyside. His highlights include shutouts against Arsenal and Chelsea, while his status as undisputed England No 1 has to count for something.

He has also kept Anthony Gordon and Erling Haaland out from the penalty spot this term.

6

Bernd Leno

Fulham

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Bernd Leno’s move from Arsenal to Fulham was a sign of a goalkeeper in decline, but the German has more than played his part in a Cottagers side that could yet qualify for Europe.

Leno currently ranks 6th for saves made this season with 89 and has received the joint-most Man of the Match awards from WhoScored for a goalkeeper with three.

7

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Bournemouth

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s transfer on loan from Chelsea to Bournemouth has mostly looked like a masterstroke from Andoni Iraola.

The Cherries have impressed this season, and had seemed to be prime candidates for a European space prior to a downturn in form.

But when on form, Kepa has been one of their more impressive players, and while he is still prone to a mistake, he may have given his chances of a career renaissance the world of good thanks to his time at the Vitality.

8

Ederson

Man City

Manchester City haven’t had the best year, meaning Ederson’s numbers haven’t been as impressive compared to the previous high standards he had set.

The Brazilian has still shown his class – particularly his eye for a pass, with his recent assist for James McAtee a reminder of his talents.

And despite his dip in form (not helped by an ever-changing defence), you’d think most Premier League clubs would happily have him as their No 1.

9

Mark Flekken

Brentford

Mark Flekken was recently named as the Premier League’s best goalkeeper by the CIES Football Observatory, placing fifth in the world behind the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Thibaut Courtois.

However, we’d respectfully disagree with that ranking, which placed Robert Sanchez as the Premier League’s second-best, and we haven’t quite got to him yet.

As for Flekken, he certainly has proved a fine replacement for David Raya in the Brentford net.

While not the ultimate signifier of quality, he has also made the most saves this season with 132 – 27 more than his nearest rival.

10

Mads Hermansen

Leicester

While Leicester City stare down the barrel of relegation, it wouldn’t surprise you to find Mads Hermansen showcasing his skills in a better team next term.

The Dane has been another of the top flight’s most frequent shot-stoppers – albeit with the Foxes having faced more shots on target than everyone bar relegation rivals Ipswich and Southampton.

But after some stellar performances in front of a leaky defence, he will surely have caught someone’s eye.

11

Dean Henderson

Crystal Palace

Dean Henderson is by no means the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, but he has finally found a home at Crystal Palace, where he is finally flourishing following his exit from Manchester United.

Henderson has marshalled a relatively tight defence that has conceded just 40 goals – the same number as 4th-placed Newcastle – while the Eagles’ recent run of clean sheets has propelled Palace to mid-table safety and an FA Cup semi-final.

12

Nick Pope

Newcastle

Nick Pope’s season has been affected by injury, but he has still proved himself as a solid goalkeeper for Newcastle United.

Now a Wembley winner following Carabao Cup success, the former Burnley shot-stopper has formed part of an impressive Toon outfit that looks primed to secure Champions League football.

While perhaps past his best, Pope remains a goalkeeper who seems at home in the Premier League, though compared to his counterparts, middle of the pack feels about right.

13

Bart Verbruggen

Brighton

Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has finally nailed down the No 1 spot at Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler, though he may be flattering to deceive at the Amex.

Verbruggen certainly provides value to Hurzeler’s setup, being one of the Premier League’s most frequent goalkeeping passers, ranking 5th at the time of writing.

But for all he adds to the attacking build-up, he has been prone to the odd error – recording four so far this season.

14

Guglielmo Vicario

Tottenham

Guglielmo Vicario has struggled with injury in his second season at Tottenham Hotspur, but is easily the best goalkeeper at the club, with winter arrival Antonin Kinsky suffering some tricky moments in Spurs colours so far.

However, as far as the rest of the league is concerned, he has some work to do to climb the rankings, with the Italian showcasing his weakness from corners, having been bullied at set-pieces by opponents.

He does have a decent highlights reel, though.

15

Alphonse Areola

West Ham

West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola hasn’t exactly been embarrassing in the Premier League this season, but he has hardly lit up the league, either.

Another ‘keeper who has spent time out of the starting XI, Areola has had limited time to prove himself as one of the league’s best.

Even so, the Frenchman only has three clean sheets to his name (the 19th-best in the league) and has committed two errors leading to goals.

16

Aaron Ramsdale

Southampton

It would be fair to say that Aaron Ramsdale’s summer move to Southampton hasn’t exactly worked out, having shipped a bucketload of goals on the south coast.

While by no means solely responsible for their relegation, Ramsdale has endured a miserable couple of years, having lost his place in the Arsenal team and making errors when given a chance towards the end of his time in north London.

However, he recently saved two penalties in one game and is one of just two No 1s on this list yet to make an error this season, so perhaps he is deserving of a role in a team more competent than Southampton where he can showcase his true strengths.

17

Andre Onana

Man Utd

Andre Onana is an impressive goalkeeper – his time at Inter showcased his talents, which helped the Nerazzurri to the Champions League final in 2023.

But upon moving to Manchester United, his game has been littered with errors. These came to a head recently when the Cameroonian was culpable for both goals conceded by United in their Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon.

Onana has rarely covered himself in glory at United, and has been more error-prone than most. Given the standards and expectations at Old Trafford, he has to be towards the lower end of the scale.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Ruben Amorim was considering a change in the long term, particularly after dropping him for their recent match at Newcastle.

18

Jose Sa

Wolves

Wolves have been leaky at the back this season, and one contributing factor to this could simply be that their goalkeeper doesn’t make enough saves.

When available, Jose Sa has hardly been Mr Reliable in the Wolves goal, as the Old Gold have conceded more goals than anyone outside the bottom three (58) despite facing a rather average number of shots on target (136).

Sa also ranks lowly for the number of saves made this season – placing 17th at the time of writing, albeit having missed seven games this term.

All in all, it could be argued that an upgrade would serve Wolves well going forward.

19

Arijanet Muric

Ipswich

Arijanet Muric somehow got a move to Ipswich Town despite playing a part in a Burnley side that never looked like surviving relegation, with or without his errors between the sticks.

Muric hasn’t exactly changed his ways since playing for the Tractor Boys, with the Kosovan making a league-high five errors leading to goals and eventually losing his place before suffering an injury.

It’s difficult to make a case for Muric being a positive influence on this Ipswich side.

20

Robert Sanchez

Chelsea

Simply put, a player as poor as Robert Sanchez should not be Chelsea No 1. However, that’s the position the Blues are in despite splashing the cash on a number of goalkeepers in recent years.

Sanchez has been as error-prone as they come, flapping at crosses, giving away possession and being the furthest thing from Petr Cech in his heyday.

The Spaniard has been so bad, that his own manager even resorted to publicly calling him out, yet this has not had the desired effect of improving his performances.

Also making five errors leading to goals this season, Sanchez’s displays have been pretty disastrous this term, and for a club aiming to qualify for the Champions League, this arguably represents the biggest mismatch in the top flight.