The goalkeeper position is one of the toughest to break down in any league because the individual numbers the player compiles usually has even more to do with the team in front of him than it does his own play. Sunderland’s Costel Pantilimon isn’t a world-class goalkeeper but he also isn’t as bad as his numbers indicate. He has allowed 18 goals in only eight games without a single clean sheet so far in this campaign. Skill, statistics and the talent playing in front of them are all factors that we used to help us break down the best in England’s top flight.
Here is a look at the top five goalkeepers in the Premier League right now.
1. Heurelho Gomes, Watford
Gomes is the perfect illustration of a talented goalkeeper making the team in front of him that much better as he is arguably the biggest reason why Watford has the best defensive numbers in the Premier League right now. Watford is tied for the fewest goals allowed in England’s top flight this season with only seven conceded with Gomes averaging 3.0 saves per game with three clean sheets already.
Gomes can’t help his club up front where they have been limited to a league-low six goals in eight games, but he has been a stud in goal. Based on his performance so far, it’s no surprise he tops our list of the top keepers in the Premier League right now.
2. Jack Butland, Stoke City
Stoke City has gotten off to an underwhelming start with only two wins through its first eight games but the one bright spot for them early on has been the play of their top goalkeeper Butland. The veteran keeper has made 27 saves through eight games and is among the biggest reasons why the club has been able to salvage its nine points so far this season.
Butland might not get talked about as much as some of the other names on this list but he has been excellent for Stoke and his play has some experts talking about whether he can push Hart for the starting job with England’s national team. We’ll know more about that as they prepare for Euro 2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-cjGBooMZo
3. Petr Cech, Arsenal
Arsenal is another one of the five teams that have allowed a league-low seven goals against this season. It’s no surprise that they have climbed to the top of the table from a defensive standpoint following Cech’s arrival to the club. The veteran goalkeeper has made 31 saves already this year and he has recorded a clean sheet in exactly half of the club’s eight games. Cech might have gotten off to a slow start with Gunners but he has turned it up since and earned the third spot on our list in the process.
4. Joe Hart, Manchester City
Hart is expected to perform at an elite level behind one of the top clubs in England but the fact that he plays for Manchester City has resulted in him arguably not getting as much credit as he deserves. Hart has been terrific for City this season with a combined three goals allowed in seven games. While he has made only seven saves, his presence and poise has been an integral part of the team’s success early on. He’s the anchor at the back.
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5. Hugo Lloris, Tottenham
Crystal Palace’s Wayne Hennessey and Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet received some consideration for the final spot on this list but ultimately we decided to give Lloris the nod as the final name on our list. Tottenham is another one of the five teams that have allowed a league-low seven goals this season and Lloris has been excellent for them once again with 23 saves in eight games including three clean sheets. Hennessey and Mignolet have both been great but Lloris just gets the nod ahead of them as the final goalkeeper on our list of the top five in the Premier League right now.
