David Seaman’s name is frequently brought up when most people consider who the best Premier League custodian of all time is. Few players can match the standards set by the former Arsenal great and England international, who is still regarded as one of his nation’s best goalkeepers.
The Premier League championships and the incredible save against Sheffield United in the FA Cup in the later years of his career stand out as two of his most memorable moments. Despite his skill, Seaman would not select his top five goalkeepers in English Premier League history when asked.
When talking about the greatest goalkeepers in the Premier League, Seaman chose the Brazilian combination of Ederson and Alisson, which raised some eyebrows.
5David de Gea
Manchester United
The way in which David de Gea’s career at Manchester United came to an end perhaps tarnishes his legacy in some people’s minds. Never forget though, that when the Red Devils needed a hero in some of their darkest times, it was the Spaniard who stepped to the plate.
A four-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award winner and the recipient of two Premier League Golden Gloves, De Gea amazed with lightning-quick reflexes and incredible feats of goalkeeping that often saved his side from the jaws of defeat. The biggest criticism of him was his distribution, and the focus on that led to a decline in his overall performance as mistakes began to slip into his game. Now at Fiorentina, De Gea has been able to remind the world exactly what he is still capable of.
David de Gea’s Premier League Stats
Looks
415
Clean Sheets
147
Premier League Titles
One
4Alisson Becker
Liverpool
Alisson is now regarded as the world’s top custodian, but that does not justify the Liverpool number one ranking higher than fourth on Seaman’s list. Following Loris Karius’ disastrous performance in the 2018 Champions League final, the Brazilian was the last piece of the puzzle at Anfield.
The one thing that has plagued Alisson since switching to English football is injuries, but he has now become an indisputable component of the Reds’ success. Seaman acknowledged that, in spite of his brilliance, he liked another current Premier League player better.
Premier League Stats for Alisson
Looks
221
Clean Sheets
94
Titles in the Premier League
One
3Ederson
Manchester City
For the first time in his Etihad career, Ederson is currently in uncertainty at Manchester City. Seaman prefers the 31-year-old over his countryman Alisson because of his distinct style of sweeper ‘keeping, even though he has been in and out of Pep Guardiola’s squad recently and his form is not what it was:
“I simply enjoy Ederson’s straightforward style of football play. He doesn’t have much to do with Ederson, and then all of a sudden he needs to make an incredible save. He has a terrific left foot and is always there for that.
Ederson’s statistics for the Premier League
Looks
268
Clean Sheets
117
Titles in the Premier League
6.
2Petr Cech
Chelsea and Arsenal
The great Petr Cech is just missing the top slot. As the first member of Jose Mourinho’s impenetrable defence, Cech, best remembered for his amazing years at the top of the game with Chelsea, radically changed goalkeeping in English football.
Even though the Special One’s backline was nearly unbreakable, the Czech Republic great dominated for more than ten years, including while he was at Arsenal, where he won his third and last Golden Glove.
Premier League Stats for Petr Cech
Looks
443
Clean Sheets
202
Titles in the Premier League
4.
1Peter Schmeichel
Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City
Despite the fact that they were competitors at their best, Seaman was quick to name Peter Schmeichel as his top choice. The Great Dane is still Manchester United’s best goalie, which is impressive given the opposition he faces.
Schmeichel had unmatched control over the penalty area and supported it with amazing agility, quick thinking, and a long throw that could initiate deadly counterattacks. In addition to playing a key role in United’s dominance of the 1990s, which culminated in the treble, Denmark probably would not have won the 1992 European Championships without him. Another indication of Schmeichel’s excellence.
Premier League Stats for Peter Schmeichel
Looks
310
Clean Sheets
128
Titles in the Premier League
5.
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