Sports
20 Greatest Goalkeepers in Premier League History (Ranked)
Summary
- Some of the greatest goalkeepers of all time have played in the Premier League, showing their class on a regular basis.
- From the 1990s to the 2020s, goalkeepers have continually adapted to the pace of the Premier League, with the ability to be able to play out from the back being crucial.
- Manchester United have four goalkeepers who feature in the top 20 of the greatest shot-stoppers.
The Premier League has had some truly great goalkeeping talents over the years. The spotlight is often on the goalscorers and the ones putting the ball in the back of the net, but it’s the goalkeepers in football who can be the unsung heroes, providing those match-saving moments that can define a match.
Some shot-stoppers have made season-defining saves, whilst others have helped progress the game by playing out from the back. Approximately 20 years ago, keepers were rarely required to pass the ball, often opting to boot the ball up the pitch. However, that is not the case anymore. The likes of Ederson epitomise how a goalkeeper can play a key role in their team’s attacks.
The 2024/2025 Premier League season has once again served as a reminder of just why a top-class goalkeeper is coveted by many of the top clubs, with Arsenal’s David Raya and Liverpool’s Alisson among the best the division has seen once again. But do they feature in the top 20 of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history?
Ranking Factors
- Importance to their team
- Shot-stopping ability and reflexes
- Ability to step up in the biggest moments and games
- How good their distribution is
- Golden Glove awards and trophies won
30 Greatest Defenders In Premier League History (Ranked)
The 20 greatest defenders in Premier League history, including Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole, have been ranked.
20
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel had the whole world’s pressure on his shoulders when he became a professional goalkeeper. As the son of legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, he was expected to perform – and he did exactly that. Over the course of his Premier League career, he made 284 appearances, playing a key role in Leicester City’s title success in all 38 matches.
He was one of the heartbeats in Leicester’s side, acting as a cool and measured man in the face of pressure. It’s as if it runs in the family’s DNA. Nevertheless, Schmeichel is the first on this list after consistency every year.
|
Kasper Schmeichel’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
284 |
82 |
Leicester, Man City |
19
Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer’s Premier League journey spanned over 20 years, displaying remarkable consistency and a high level of performance. His time with Middlesbrough, Fulham, and even Chelsea saw him pull off some of the league’s most memorable saves across his 514 games in the league. In that time, he secured 152 clean sheets and even pulled off one assist!
The Australian helped Fulham become a stable team in the Premier League. Knowing they could trust their goalkeeper in between the sticks proved crucial, especially during their run to the Europa League final in 2010, even if they lost in the end to Atlético Madrid.
|
Mark Schwarzer’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
514 |
152 |
Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea, Leicester |
18
Tim Howard
During his career, Tim Howard made 399 appearances. In those matches, he completed 132 clean sheets, even scoring one goal in the process. His Premier League career was marked by athleticism, sharp reflexes, and vocal leadership.
His spell at Manchester United was brief but impactful, yet it was with Everton where he truly became a legend, playing 354 games, helping Everton become a consistent name in the league – and qualifying for the Champions League. His match-winning saves and command of his area made him a fan favourite for Everton fans, and one of the league’s best goalkeepers of his generation.
|
Tim Howard’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
399 |
132 |
Man Utd, Everton |
17
Thibaut Courtois
Although Thibaut Courtois left Chelsea on a sour note, he still goes down as one of the greatest Premier League goalkeepers. His spell in the league was not as long as others, standing at 126 league games for the Blues, but he still managed to establish himself as a legend.
His imposing frame and exceptional ability to read the game made him a truly fantastic keeper for the Blues, a key reason for their successes at the time. Courtois’ trophy-laden spell at Chelsea, in which he won the Premier League twice, solidifies his place among the elite, yet he has only improved whilst at Real Madrid.
|
Thibaut Courtois’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
126 |
48 |
Chelsea |
16
Nigel Martyn
Compared to other names on this list, Nigel Martyn might not be as well-known, particularly if you didn’t watch the Premier League during the 1990s. However, his name is synonymous with consistency. His spells at Crystal Palace, Leeds United, and Everton were marked by outstanding saves and reliability.
Martyn’s ability to command his area and make crucial saves makes him one of the Premier League’s most revered goalkeepers, and he proved that during his 372 games in the division. Ending his spell in 2006, he was a traditional goalkeeper, but – in that sense – he built trust with his defenders every match.
|
Nigel Martyn’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
372 |
137 |
Crystal Palace, Leeds, Everton |
15
Pepe Reina
Pepe Reina’s tenure at Liverpool was filled with breathtaking saves and moments of brilliance. His quick reflexes, agility, and intelligent game-reading made him one of Liverpool’s finest goalkeepers and showed why he played just shy of 300 games for the club.
The Spaniard is often disrespected due to his struggles at Aston Villa when he returned in the 2019/2020 season. However, he helped Liverpool shine from 2005 to 2013, acting as a cool, calm and measured player in between the sticks. He goes down as one of Spain’s – and the Premier League’s – greatest goalkeepers.
|
Pepe Reina’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
297 |
136 |
Liverpool, Aston Villa |
14
Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2012. He wasn’t replaced until 2023, acting as club captain for the majority of those years. He was reliable, assured and measured in between the goal, making crucial saves for Spurs. In particular, his penalty saves against Arsenal at Wembley and then Manchester City – just a few weeks later – in the Champions League showcased his talent.
With 361 Premier League games under his belt, Lloris goes down as a Tottenham Legend – and thus a Premier League legend. There were very few goalkeepers better than him when he was performing during his prime.
|
Hugo Lloris’ Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
361 |
127 |
Tottenham |
13
Neville Southall
Everton fans have seen their fair share of exceptional players over the years, especially due to their almost never-ending spell in England’s top division. However, Neville Southall is regarded by many as the greatest goalkeeper in the club’s history – ahead of Howard and Jordan Pickford.
His shot-stopping ability, incredible reflexes, and fearless presence in goal earned him saw him make 578 games for the club during his 17 years at the club. He was cool, calm and confident in goal, ultimately providing confidence to the defenders in front of him. Southall’s influence on the Premier League is unquestionable, making him a fitting addition to this list.
|
Neville Southall’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
208 |
62 |
Everton, Bradford |
12
David James
David James was often the forgotten member during England’s golden era. With the likes of Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard ahead of him, he was cool, calm and composed in goal – even if it did not lead to an international trophy.
David James’ Premier League career spanned various clubs, including Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City, and Portsmouth, where he played over 570 games in the Premier League. Known for his athleticism and spectacular saves, James’ longevity across different clubs showcases his undeniable quality as a top-tier goalkeeper, and ensures he goes down as one of the league’s best.
|
David James’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
572 |
169 |
Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Man City, Portsmouth |
11
Joe Hart
From one ex-Manchester City and West Ham player to another, Joe Hart is widely considered one of the best Premier League goalkeepers ever. Hart’s remarkable time at Man City saw him win the Premier League both in 2011 and 2014 – the beginning of the club’s dominant spell.
His sharp reflexes, vocal leadership, and key saves were instrumental in City’s title-winning campaign, with his passion also helping him to earn a spot among the Premier League’s finest. Everyone remembers his iconic celebration as Sergio Aguero saved the club’s season in the dying seconds. It was only when Pep Guardiola joined that Hart left the club after struggling to start attacks from the back.
|
Joe Hart’s Premier League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Clean Sheets |
Teams |
|
340 |
127 |
Man City, Burnley, West Ham, Tottenham |
After missing out on a place in the round of 32 on goal difference, South Korea are heading home from the World Cup.
Everything looked like it was going to plan for the Taegeuk Warriors, after a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their opening match, but two successive defeats, to co-hosts Mexico and then to South Africa, have cost them dearly.
As with many nations who have high hopes of their side making a big push at the tournament, it sparked national outrage when it was confirmed they’d play no further part at the World Cup, but one post online has gone way too far, targeting the manager and former captain of the national side, Hong Myung-bo.
South Korea Boss Subjected to Death Threats Online
In the wake of their exit, South Korean police have now launched an investigation after a violent death threat was posted online targeting Hong, one of Korea’s best players of all time. The post, made by someone who is supposedly a 41-year-old American citizen, threatened to kill Hong at Incheon International Airport upon his return home.
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Authorities are now considering intimidation charges and working to track down the suspect’s identity, as public anger over the team’s tournament exit continues to brew.
The threat represents a serious escalation of frustration that has already manifested in several other forms. A doctored image circulated online appeared to suggest Hong ordered players to scatter upon his arrival at the airport, while “Hong Myung-bo banned” notices have reportedly been posted at restaurants and cafes across Gyeonggi Province.
The anger largely stems from Korea’s 0-1 defeat to South Africa in their final Group A match, which they were heavily backed to win and progress into the knockout rounds. Police have confirmed they are monitoring Incheon Airport and other potential locations closely to ensure Hong’s safety upon his return.
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Hong Myung-bo’s Future
The situation reignited questions surrounding Hong’s controversial reappointment as head coach back in 2024, a decision that drew criticism over the transparency of the Korea Football Association’s selection process at the time.
A petition calling for his immediate dismissal had already gathered enough support to trigger an initial review by the National Assembly, and the president of South Korea was even involved, though Hong has since resigned from his position.
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Even so, the emergence of direct threats against his safety has shifted attention away from those administrative matters entirely, with authorities now focused on protecting him and holding whoever issued the threat accountable.
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Liverpool are said to have reached out to see if they can sign a high-profile midfielder this summer, but they have some work to do if they want to complete the deal. Andoni Iraola is hoping to put his own stamp on this Liverpool side before the summer is over, and he has already begun with the signing of compatriot Víctor Muñóz.
But beyond changing the identity of this team, Iraola also knows he has gaps to fill and areas to improve, with Mo Salah and Ibrahima Konate in need of replacing, while most also recognise the Reds need a dominant midfielder if they are going to content with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
With Declan Rice and Rodri respectively, both of the Premier League common have dominant midfielders in common, and having a strong pivot now feels as though it is a necessity in the modern game.
Liverpool check on Camavinga
According to Team Talk, Liverpool have reached out to Real Madrid to see if Eduardo Camavinga is available this summer. The 23-year-old midfielder is coming off the back of a season that saw him perform below his usual standards, although it’s true that Real Madrid disappointed on the whole.
Camavinga ended up missing out on the France World Cup squad, but he is still among the best midfielders in the World, and at 23 years of age, he has plenty of potential still to reach.
Interestingly, Mundo Deportivo have now followed up the report by adding that Real Madrid are willing to sell Camavinga this summer as they look to land a new midfielder. José Mourinho wants a world-beating midfield signing, and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez is being heavily linked.
Camavinga is said to be available for around £51.7million, which is a tempting price for a player of Camavinga’s age and experience. The problem, according to the report, is that Camavinga currently has no intentions of leaving the Bernabeu, so he is going to have to be convinced by an interesting club before a deal can truly be on the cards.
Camavinga’s versatility stands out
The added value of a Camavinga deal is that he can quite comfortably play at left-back when called upon. Carlo Ancelotti said of the Frenchman playing full-back last year: “He’s a player with extraordinary qualities. He can play anywhere on the pitch, he’s special. He can play as a midfielder, or as a defender.”
A couple of years earlier, Ancelotti said: “He is taking advantage of the time he has played as a full-back to improve his boundaries.
“He is very young and he has to mature his experience and his tactical knowledge. Technically, he has nothing to learn and, physically, he has the engine of a Ferrari, not like a (Fiat) 500.”
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Tottenham Hotspur are conducting a clear-out after a difficult past season and they have reportedly made a decision over one of their forwards.
According to football.london, Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi has informed Manor Solomon that he isn’t part of his plans. He is free to leave the Lilywhites after his loan at Fiorentina expired.
Solomon spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Villarreal in La Liga before heading to the Italian side in January. The Israeli attacker has found game time hard to come by throughout his time in North London.
Tottenham Ready to Offload Manor Solomon
Solomon joined Tottenham as a free agent in the summer of 2023 after leaving Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk. He had caught the eye in Ukraine but has lacked first-team opportunities with the Lilywhites.
The 26-year-old has spent spells on loan at Leeds United, Fiorentina, and Villarreal. He has made just six appearances for his parent club and is now headed for the exit door.
De Zerbi’s appointment is said to have given Solomon hope of potentially being handed a chance to win the coach over. The Italian has instead told the player to look for a move elsewhere.
There’s no word on which clubs may be keen on signing the Israeli, given his availability, but Leeds were expected to try and sign him permanently last summer. He had also been on Crystal Palace’s radar, but a late deal fell through once the Eagles decided to pull the plug.
A Mass Exodus is Anticipated
Solomon, previously dubbed “excellent” by Kevin De Bruyne, is one of several Spurs stars who will surely be shown the door by De Zerbi this summer. The club is focused on a major rebuild, and that includes offloading fringe players such as the Israeli attacker.
The transfer chiefs are already busy and have reunited De Zerbi with his former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke. A new attacker is on the wishlist, and the latest name to be linked is AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche.
Spurs are also overhauling De Zerbi’s midfield and have set their sights on Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. While their initial £75m bid has been rejected twice, the club remain focused on sealing a deal for the Italian midfielder.
There is uncertainty over the future of club captain Cristian Romero, which speaks volumes about the anticipated outgoings. Thus, Solomon isn’t the only one who might be departing the North London giants in the upcoming months.
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