The Premier League season is right around the corner and while the goalkeepers can often be overlooked from a fantasy perspective because of the number of top talents available, owning the right keeper could very well be the difference between a championship season and falling just short. Here is a look at the five best Premier League fantasy goalkeepers heading into the season.
Lukasz Fabianski, Swansea
The fact that Swansea isn’t a top-tier team doesn’t mean that Fabianski doesn’t deserve to be the first goalkeeper off the board. He clearly proved last season that he can put up the numbers to justify being a No. 1 goalkeeper for anyone’s team. Fabianski started all but one game for Swansea and ranked No. 1 in the Premier League in total saves with 137 while recording an outstanding 13 clean sheets with an average of 3.7 saves per game. Swansea’s defense is strong enough to keep opponents at bay in most games and that’s why Swansea only allowed 49 goals last season. Fabianski’s ability to perform at his best against elite competition helps separate him as the top fantasy goalkeeper available.
Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea
Chelsea waived goodbye to Petr Cech this offseason and there is no doubt Courtois will have a heavy workload as the Blues look to repeat as Premier League champions. Chelsea dominated last year and the young Belgian played in 32 games, helping the Blues to the fewest goals allowed in the EPL. While his average saves per game isn’t as high as some of the goalkeepers in the middle of the table, he had 13 clean sheets last year and his 30 goals allowed were the second-fewest in the Premier League.
The saves might not be there but the wins, clean sheets and goals allowed will ensure Courtois is among the best fantasy goalkeepers once again. One caveat to keep in mind is youngster Asmir Begovic, who recently said that he’s determined to fight Courtois for the top spot. It’s highly unlikely that he really takes the top spot but it’s something fantasy GM’s have to keep in the back of their minds.
Joe Hart, Manchester City
Hart started 36 matches for Manchester City last season and while the team’s play forced him to deal with a bigger workload than he is mostly used to, he has the potential to be even better from a fantasy perspective this coming season. Hart led the Premier League with 14 clean sheets last season and like Courtois, his average save mark will be lower than some other goalies. However, the wins, clean sheets and limited goals allowed should help make him one of the top fantasy goalkeepers. Man City only allowed 38 goals last season, which was the fourth-best in the EPL.
Costel Pantilimon, Sunderland
It took Pantilimon nine matches to take over for Vito Mannone at Sunderland but now he will enter this season as Sunderland’s undisputed No. 1 goalkeeper. Pantilimon dominated once he got the opportunity as he made 109 saves in only 28 matches and finished the season with the highest fantasy point per game average for a Premier League goalkeeper. Sunderland’s defensive-minded approach helps his position and while the team is not expected to be fantastic, his performance is enough to have him at No. 4 on our list of fantasy goalkeepers.
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Adrian, West Ham
Adrian was the only goalkeeper to start all 38 Premier League games for his team last season as the Hammers got their full use out of him. He posted the second-highest fantasy point total for the season as the team allowed 47 goals on the season. Adrian averaged 3.39 saves per game and while West Ham is another team projected to finish in the middle of the table, his fantasy value is still high based on the workload, the improved defensive structure in front of him and the fact that he still posted nine clean sheets last season.
