In brief
Several of the finest goalkeepers in history have competed in the Premier League, frequently displaying their skill.
Goalkeepers have continuously adjusted to the Premier League’s fast-paced style from the 1990s to the 2020s, with the ability to play out from the back being essential.
Four of Manchester United’s goalkeepers are among the top 20 best in the world.
Over the years, the Premier League has produced some genuinely exceptional goalkeepers. In football, goalkeepers can be the unsung heroes who provide the game-defining moments, but the players who score goals and put the ball in the net usually get the most attention.
While some goalies have played out of the back to advance the game, others have made saves that have defined their seasons. Keepers were rarely expected to pass the ball twenty years ago; instead, they frequently chose to boot the ball up the pitch. That is no longer the case, though. Goalkeepers such as Ederson are prime examples of how they can contribute significantly to their team’s offensive efforts.
With David Raya of Arsenal and Alisson of Liverpool among the greatest the division has seen, the 2024–2025 Premier League season has once again shown why many of the top clubs want a top-tier custodian. Do they, however, rank among the top 20 goalkeepers in Premier League history?
Ranking Elements
Relevance to their group
Reflexes and the capacity to halt shots
Capacity to step up during the most important games and moments
The quality of their dissemination
Trophies and Golden Glove honours received
The Best Goalkeepers in the Premier League
Rank
Name
Clean Sheets
Played Games
One
Schmeichel, Peter 128
310
2.
Petr Cech
202
433
3.
132 Edwin van der Sar
313
4.
Seaman, David
141
344
5.
Becker, Alisson
220
93
6.
De Gea, David
147
415
7.
Ederson
267
116
8.
Lehmann, Jens
54
148
9.
Shay Given
113
450
10.
Friedel, Brad
132
450
11.
Hart, Joe
127
340
Twelve
James David
169
572
13.
Southall, Neville, 62
208
14
Lloris Hugo
127
361
15.
Reina Pepe
136
297
16
Martyn Nigel
137
372
17
At 48, Thibaut Courtois
126
18
Howard, Tim
132
399
19.
Mark Schwarzer, 152
514
20
Schmeichel, Kasper 82
284
20Kasper Schmeichel
As a professional goalie, Kasper Schmeichel had to deal with the pressure of the entire globe. He was expected to produce because he was the son of the renowned goalie Peter Schmeichel, and he achieved just that. He made 284 games in the Premier League during his career, contributing significantly to Leicester City’s 38 victories. As a calm and collected individual under duress, he was one of Leicester’s strongest players. It seems to be ingrained in the family. Schmeichel, however, tops this list due to his annual consistency.
Premier League Statistics for Kasper Schmeichel
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
284
82
Man City and Leicester
19 Mark Schwarzer
Over the course of his 20-year Premier League career, Mark Schwarzer demonstrated exceptional consistency and performance. During his 514 league appearances with Middlesbrough, Fulham, and even Chelsea, he made some of the most spectacular saves in the league. He recorded 152 clean sheets and even managed one assist over that period! The Australian contributed to Fulham’s Premier League stability. Even though they ultimately lost to Atletico Madrid, it was vital for them to know they could rely on their custodian in goal, particularly during their journey to the 2010 Europa League final.
The Premier League Stats of Mark Schwarzer
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
514
152
Leicester, Chelsea, Fulham, and Middlesbrough
18 Tim Howard
Tim Howard made 399 appearances during his career. He finished 132 clean sheets in those games and managed to score one goal as well. His athleticism, quick reactions, and assertive leadership were hallmarks of his Premier League career. Although he had a brief but significant stint with Manchester United, he really rose to fame at Everton, where he played 354 games, helped the team establish itself as a league powerhouse, and helped them qualify for the Champions League. He was one of the top goalkeepers of his generation in the league and a popular with Everton supporters due to his game-winning saves and command of his area.
The Premier League Stats of Tim Howard
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
399
132
Everton and Manchester United
Thibaut Courtois, 17
Despite his unhappy departure from Chelsea, Thibaut Courtois will always be remembered as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Despite playing 126 league games with the Blues, his tenure in the league was shorter than others’, but he was still able to make a name for himself. One of the main factors in the Blues’ victories at the time was his outstanding ability to read the game and his commanding physique, which made him an absolutely outstanding goalie. Although Courtois’ trophy-filled tenure at Chelsea, where he won the Premier League twice, cemented his status as one of the best, he has only become better at Real Madrid.
Premier League Statistics for Thibaut Courtois
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
126
48
Chelsea
16Nigel Martyn
Nigel Martyn may not be as well-known as the other names on this list, especially if you weren’t watching the Premier League in the 1990s. But his name is a byword for reliability. His tenures with Everton, Leeds United, and Crystal Palace were distinguished by his dependability and exceptional saves. Throughout his 372 games in the Premier League, Martyn demonstrated his ability to dominate his area and produce vital saves, earning him a reputation as one of the league’s most respected goalkeepers. He was a typical goalie who ended his tenure in 2006, but in that way, he gained the faith of his defenders with each game.
The Premier League Stats of Nigel Martyn
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
372
137
Crystal Palace, Everton, and Leeds
15 Pepe Reina
During his time at Liverpool, Pepe Reina made many incredible saves and had many brilliant moments. He played slightly under 300 games for Liverpool, and his quick reflexes, agility, and astute game-reading made him one of the team’s best goalkeepers. Because of his difficulties at Aston Villa after his return in the 2019–2020 season, the Spaniard is frequently treated with contempt. But from 2005 to 2013, he was a cool, collected and steady custodian who helped Liverpool win. He is remembered as one of the best goalkeepers in both the Premier League and Spain.
Premier League Stats for Pepe Reina
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
297
136
Aston Villa and Liverpool
14 Hugo Lloris
In 2012, Hugo Lloris joined Tottenham Hotspur. For most of those years, he served as the club captain and wasn’t replaced until 2023. He made vital stops for Spurs and was dependable, self-assured, and composed in between goals. His skill was particularly demonstrated by his penalty saves against Arsenal at Wembley and Manchester City in the Champions League a few weeks later. Lloris is remembered as a Tottenham legend and a Premier League legend with 361 Premier League games played. When he was at his best, there weren’t many goalkeepers who could compete with him.
The Premier League Stats of Hugo Lloris
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
361
127
Tottenham
13Neville Southall
Over the years, Everton supporters have witnessed a number of outstanding players, particularly as a result of their nearly endless tenure in the top flight in England. Nonetheless, many people believe that Neville Southall is the best goalie in the team’s history, surpassing both Jordan Pickford and Howard. During his 17 years with the team, he made 578 appearances thanks to his exceptional reflexes, brave presence in goal, and ability to stop shots. He was cool, collected, and self-assured in goal, which eventually gave the defenders in front of him confidence. Southall is a worthy inclusion to this list because of his undeniable impact on the Premier League.
Premier League Stats for Neville Southall
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
208
62
Bradford and Everton
12 David James
During England’s golden age, David James was frequently the overlooked player. Even though it did not result in an international trophy, he was cool, collected, and composed in goal while players like Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Frank Lampard were ahead of him. David James participated in more than 570 Premier League games during his career, which included stints with Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City, and Portsmouth. James is renowned for his athleticism and incredible saves. His tenure at many clubs demonstrates his indisputable talent as a top-tier custodian and guarantees that he will be remembered as one of the finest in the league.
Premier League Stats for David James
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
572
169
Portsmouth, Man City, West Ham, Liverpool, and Aston Villa
11 Joe Hart
Joe Hart, a former West Ham and Manchester City player, is regarded by many as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history. During his incredible tenure at Man City, Hart won the Premier League in 2011 and 2014, which marked the start of the team’s dominating run. His quick reflexes, outspoken leadership, and crucial saves helped City win the title, and his enthusiasm earned him a place among the best in the Premier League. When Sergio Aguero preserved the team’s season in the last seconds, everyone recalls his famous celebration. Hart struggled to initiate assaults from the back and only departed the team when Pep Guardiola joined.
The Premier League Stats of Joe Hart
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
340
127
Tottenham, West Ham, Burnley, and Man City
10Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel’s nearly two-decade Premier League career is evidence of his reliability and ability to stop shots. Friedel amassed 450 games in England’s top division thanks to his strong hands and dependability, whether at Tottenham, Aston Villa, or Blackburn Rovers. At 310 games, he also holds the record for the most consecutive Premier League appearances, demonstrating his consistency. Despite Hugo Lloris being regarded as one of the world’s most talented and promising goalkeepers, he continued to start ahead of the Frenchman even when he joined Tottenham towards the end of his career.
The Premier League Stats of Brad Friedel
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
450
132
Tottenham, Aston Villa, Blackburn, and Liverpool
9 Shay Given
Over his career, Shay Given participated in an incredible 449 Premier League games, the majority of which took place in the North East. Given made 344 league games over his twelve years at St. James’ Park and Newcastle before joining Manchester City in February 2009. After two and a half seasons in Manchester, he joined Aston Villa in the summer of 2011 after his first-team opportunities were diminished due to the rise of Joe Hart. Even after five seasons at Villa Park, he remains regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in league history, reliable in every game.
The Premier League Stats of Shay Given
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
450
113
Stoke, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Man City, and Blackburn
8. Jens Lehmann
Due to a single season, Jens Lehmann is regarded by many as one of the best goalkeepers of all time. Lehmann participated in every game in Arsenal’s undefeated league campaign in 2003–2004 during his first stint with the team. For his crucial role in the “Invincibles” season, he was given the Premier League Golden Glove Award. Lehmann not only won the Premier League title in 2003–2004, but he also took home the Community Shield in 2004 and the FA Cup winner’s medal in 2005 after making a historic save against Paul Scholes in the winning penalty shootout. Even though he only had 148 appearances, which is significantly fewer than other goalkeepers on this list, it still shows how much of an impact he had on the league.
Lehmann, Jens Statistics for the Premier League
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
148
54
The Arsenal
7 Ederson
You can use Ederson’s debut season as a summary of his skills. Ederson had a spectacular debut season with Man City, contributing significantly to the team’s Premier League triumph with 16 clean sheets. He did, however, stand out that season, earning a nomination for PFA Young Player of the Year and being chosen for Brazil’s 2018 World Cup team. From there, his impeccable distribution and unique technique continued to transform the role. Not only did Pep Guardiola trust him, but the entire team’s defence did too. He is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in league history due to his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, as well as his steady play.
Ederson’s statistics for the Premier League
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
267
116
Man City
6David De Gea
De Gea paid over £17 million to join Man United in June 2011, which at the time was a British record for a custodian. Although it put strain on him, he managed to overcome a challenging Premier League first season to become the team’s primary custodian. The Spaniard’s accomplishment of becoming the first player to win United’s Player of the Year award three times in a row in 2017 demonstrated his talent.
With a total of 18 clean sheets twelve months later, he was awarded the Golden Glove. In February 2023, he won the Golden Glove for the second time after breaking Peter Schmeichel’s record for Manchester United’s clean sheet. De Gea left Manchester United when his contract with the team expired in the summer of 2023. He was eighth on United’s all-time appearance list with 545 appearances in all competitions. He is remembered as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Premier League Stats for David De Gea
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
415
147
Manchester United
5Alisson Becker
Alisson was regarded as the most expensive custodian in the world when he joined the Premier League. Liverpool paid £66.8 million for him in July 2018, and he made an immediate impression. Alisson recorded the most clean sheets of any Premier League custodian in his first season since Pepe Reina in 2006 with 21 during the 2018–19 campaign. In addition to winning the FA Cup/Carabao Cup in 2021 and the Champions League in 2019, he was the Premier League champion in 2020. He has finished playing football and shows no signs of slowing down. He is a legendary goalie because of that.
Premier League Stats for Alisson
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
220
93
Liverpool
4. David Seaman
Because of his legacy from his time at Arsenal, David Seaman is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Seaman, who is renowned for his poise, quick thinking, and superb positioning, played a key role in Arsenal’s success in the 1990s and early 2000s. Seaman, an Arsenal three-time league champion with two Premier League crowns, has made a lasting impression on supporters with his reliable performances, amazing saves, and mastery of his area. He made 344 Premier League appearances during his career, recording 141 clean sheets. Seaman has been more reliable than most players.
Premier League Stats for David Seaman
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
344
141
Man City and Arsenal
3 Van der Sar, Edwin
At Manchester United, Van der Sar was instrumental in each of the team’s four Premier League championships. The Old Trafford supporters and Sir Alex Ferguson loved the Dutchman, who won the competition in 2007 and continued to do so until 2011. Van der Sar’s status as a Premier League great was cemented by his outstanding goalkeeping. Although his time at Fulham was remarkable, his tenure at Manchester United, distinguished by his composed manner and faultless technique, is what made him one of the finest in Premier League history. There is no denying Van der Sar’s reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
Premier League Stats for Edwin van der Sar
Looks
Clean Sheets
Groups
313
132
Fulham and Manchen
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