Who are Chelsea’s best goalkeepers of the Premier League era? Learn the top 10 Chelsea goalkeepers since 1992 and the legacies they left behind at the club!
Chelsea are one of England’s biggest and most successful teams, adding themselves to the list of Premier League winners on multiple occasions since their first title in 2004/05. Though they’ve had many elite players wearing the badge, some of the greatest and most important have been their goalkeepers. From top shot-stoppers to penalty-saving experts, they’ve had a variety of different profiles between the sticks over the years, each with their own elite quality that has set them apart from others.
This blog examines the London club’s keepers, selecting the very best to put on the shirt for Chelsea – many of whom have had favourable Premier League betting odds to win the Golden Glove award during their careers. We delve into everything from their appearances for the club, the trophies they won, and their lasting legacy. Keep reading to find out the best Chelsea keepers since 1992!
The top 10 Chelsea goalkeepers of the Premier League era
The following table summarises the top 10 Chelsea goalkeepers to have played for the Blues in the Premier League:
Rank | Player | Years Played for Chelsea | Games Played | Goals Conceded |
1 | Petr Cech | 2004-2015 | 494 | 393 |
2 | Thibaut Courtois | 2014-2018 | 154 | 152 |
3 | Carlo Cudicini | 1999-2009 | 216 | 184 |
4 | Edouard Mendy | 2020-2023 | 105 | 86 |
5 | Sergio Hilario | 2006-2014 | 39 | 33 |
6 | Kepa Arrizabalaga | 2018-2025 | 163 | 175 |
7 | Asmir Begovic | 2015-2017 | 33 | 41 |
8 | Ed de Goey | 1997-2003 | 179 | 164 |
9 | Mark Schwarzer | 2013-2015 | 12 | 8 |
10 | Ross Turnbull | 2009-2013 | 19 | 25 |
Those are the rankings, but let’s have a look at each of the top 10 Chelsea goalkeepers in more detail, highlighting their careers with the Blues and what trophies they won:
10. Ross Turnbull
Ross Turnbull certainly faced his challenges as backup goalkeeper to the legendary Petr Cech, but he never shied away from his duties. Despite his limited opportunities, he always turned up when he was needed, being ready to step in whenever he was required to.
He may have only played at the club for four years, but he left after winning the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and two FA Cups.
9. Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer may well have been at the back end of his career when signing for Chelsea, joining when he was 40 years old, but he certainly still had an impact. The Australian added much-needed depth to the Blues’ pool of goalkeepers, making a large impact off the pitch by guiding and mentoring the younger members of their ranks.
He may not have featured much, but he was always a safe pair of hands when called upon, leaving with a Premier League title and a League Cup victory too.
8. Ed de Goey
Despite eventually being replaced by Italian shot-stopper Carlo Cudicini, Ed de Goey was a reliable regular throughout his tenure with the Blues. For the first three years after he signed, between 1997 and 2000, de Goey helped Chelsea win the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the Community Shield.
In the 1999-2000 campaign, he even set a club record for both appearances (59) and clean sheets (27) during a season – though these were later surpassed by Frank Lampard and Petr Cech.
7. Asmir Begovic
After his five-year spell at Stoke, Asmir Begovic had more than proven himself to be a quality backup option to Thibaut Courtois following Petr Cech’s departure to Arsenal. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international featured both in the league and in cup competitions, proving he could be relied upon when needed.
Begovic left the club with a Premier League title despite only playing twice in the league for Antonio Conte’s title-winning team.
6. Kepa Arrizabalaga
The weight of expectation could not have helped Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined the Blues in 2018 from Athletic Bilbao for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper (£71 million). The Spaniard had a lot of ups and downs in a Chelsea shirt, experiencing the highs of winning the 2019 Europa League Final against Arsenal to the lows of skying his penalty against Liverpool in the 2022 Carabao Cup Final.
The inconsistency displayed throughout his Chelsea career was prevalent, as despite his quick reflexes resulting in some brilliant saves, his inability to keep out shots from long range was hard to ignore. After Edouard Mendy’s arrival in 2020, Kepa never truly maintained his starting role at the club again.
After being in and out of the team for a number of years, he went on loan to Real Madrid in 2023 and Bournemouth in 2024, before completing a permanent move to Arsenal in 2025 as a backup to David Raya. Kepa left Chelsea with a Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and a Club World Cup title.
5. Sergio Hilario
The Portuguese shot-stopper may have been frequently overshadowed by Petr Cech, but he was more than able to make a name for himself at Chelsea – even as third choice. After injuries were sustained by first- and second-choice keepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, Hilario managed to get a run in the side.
His debut against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge got him off to a stellar start as he kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win for the Blues.
He may not have featured often, but when he was needed, he was certainly there to be relied upon. By the end of his time at Chelsea, he won the Premier League, three FA Cups, a League Cup, and a Community Shield.
4. Edouard Mendy
As the only Chelsea keeper other than Petr Cech to win the Champions League with the club, Edouard Mendy is part of a special group in the Blues’ history. Under the management of German tactician Thomas Tuchel, Mendy helped Chelsea to win the Champions League against Manchester City and only conceded two goals in the knockout stages!
Bringing both a calm presence in goal alongside elite shot-stopping ability, the Senegalese keeper managed to offer a level of stability between the sticks that had been lacking with Kepa’s erratic and inconsistent nature.
After a shaky beginning to the 2022/23 season, he lost his position as first-choice to his Spanish understudy, leading to his 2023 departure to Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. Mendy left with a UEFA Super Cup victory, Club World Cup title, and, of course, a Champions League winner medal.
3. Carlo Cudicini
Carlo Cudicini may have initially signed on loan from Castel di Sangro, but he was able to make the first choice position his own after being benched for the FA Cup final in 2000. The Italian did well to be a shining light in a pre-Abramovic era, winning Chelsea’s Player of the Season in 2001/02 and being widely recognised as one of the best Premier League goalkeepers the following year.
Replacing a top-class keeper such as Ed de Goey was never going to be easy, but he’s well remembered for his knack of saving penalties, which was one of his better qualities.
Until 2004, he was arguably the best Chelsea goalkeeper, but following Petr Cech’s arrival, it was always going to be hard for him to maintain his place as the club’s starting goalkeeper. Cudicini then remained as backup to the Czech, staying as one of the league’s best second-choice keepers until 2009. The Italian international managed to win two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups, and one Community Shield.
2. Thibaut Courtois
After being a crucial part of Atletico Madrid’s title win and run to the Champions League Final while on loan in 2013/14, it was evident that Courtois needed to be brought into the first team mix at Chelsea.
Despite Petr Cech being his competition back at Stamford Bridge, he managed to play 32 games ahead of the Chelsea legend, winning the Premier League title in 2014/15. After becoming the number one at Chelsea, he then won another league title in 2016/17 only two years later.
The Belgian was widely praised for his reflexes and shot-stopping, with his 6’6” frame giving him an imposing presence between the posts.
When Real Madrid came knocking in 2018, however, he made the move over to Los Blancos, leaving with two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a Carabao Cup.
1. Petr Cech
There’s little doubt that Petr Cech is Chelsea’s best goalkeeper in history. There are many reasons why Cech is not only the best Chelsea keeper, but also one of the best Premier League goalkeepers of all time.
His trophy-laden career with the Blues lasted 11 years, where he was able to establish himself as a legendary shot-stopper. Whether it was his brilliant save in the 2012 Champions League Final or his contribution to their record of conceding only 15 league goals in 2004/05, Cech had some memorable moments in a Chelsea shirt.
The Czech international won the Premier League Golden Glove at Chelsea on three occasions, keeping the most clean sheets in a Premier League season for the Blues on three occasions (2004/05, 2009/10, and 2013/14).
While it’s not impossible, it would be an extremely difficult task for any upcoming keepers to dislodge him from the top spot among the best Chelsea goalkeepers.
