The best Premier League goalkeepers of all time

We examine the best keepers in the history of the Premier League based on awards, statistics, and titles and reveal the top 50, counting down to the greatest ever.

When listing the best Premier League players of all time, many overlook the importance of a great goalkeeper. It’s rare that they take centre stage, but they’re one of the most crucial players on the pitch.

To pay tribute to this often-underappreciated position, we’ve crunched the numbers to find the best keepers in the history of the Premier League based on awards, statistics, and titles. Read on to see who features in the top 50.

The best Premier League goalkeepers of all time: 20-11

We analysed all goalkeepers who’ve made at least 100 Premier League appearances and ranked them on their accolades, legacy, stats, and more. Here are some of the legends that just missed out on our ranking of the 10 best Premier League goalkeepers of all time:

20. Jordan Pickford

Although Jordan Pickford was signed by Sunderland in 2011, it would take him another four seasons to debut for the club as he was loaned to various teams to kickstart his career. He’s now best known as England’s No. 1. He plays club football for Everton, where he’s been a consistent figure since 2017 and earned the team’s Player of the Season on three occasions.

19. Kasper Schmeichel

As the son of legendary Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, Kasper definitely had a reputation to live up to when came through the Manchester City academy to join the senior team in 2006. In the years since, he has won a Premier League title as a key part of Leicester City’s fairytale 2015-16 season. After almost 20 years, Schmeichel is still an active player, signing with Celtic in 2024.

18. Brad Friedel

Standing at 6’4”, Brad Friedel made his first Premier League appearance for Liverpool in the 1997-98 season. The American goalie holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in the league’s history, never missing a match in a streak of 310 games split between his time at Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. He was eventually usurped at Spurs by another on our list – Hugo Lloris.

17. Nigel Martyn

Having first played for the Bristol Rovers in the 1980s, Nigel Martyn made history when he became the first goalkeeper in British football to sign for a fee of £1 million when he moved to Crystal palace. He racked up 272 appearances for the club over seven seasons before eventually moving to Leeds United, and retired in 2006 after a three-season run with Everton.

16. Shay Given

Irish goalkeeper Shay Given is best known for his 12-year tenure with Newcastle United from 1997 to 2009, where he was named in the Premier League Team of the Season in both 2002 and 2006. While not the tallest goalkeeper, Given was known for his impressive speed and reflexes, and earned 113 Premier League clean sheets in 450 appearances.

15. Tim Howard

Nicknamed the ‘Secretary of Defence’ in his home nation, Tim Howard has a reputation as one of the best American players to have played in the top-flight of English football. Although he was signed by Manchester United during their run of dominance in the early 2000s, he’s best known for nine seasons at Everton. His 2012 goal against Bolton Wanderers also makes him one of only six keepers to have scored in the Premier League.

14. Paul Robinson

A fan favourite who played for several top teams in his career, Paul Robinson was known for his consistency, all-round performance and reliability. He was voted Player of the Year by Leeds United fans in 2003 and by Blackburn Rovers fans in 2011. He was also named the Premier League Player of the Month in November 2000.

13. Hugo Lloris

World Cup-winning Frenchman Hugo Lloris is best known for his 361 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur. He joined the club in 2012, became their captain in 2015, and led them to a UEFA Champions League final in 2019. With 127 clean sheets to his name, Lloris earned a reputation for his quick reactions, smart sense of the wider game, and his speed when blocking difficult shots, and was also a tremendous captain.

12. Jens Lehmann

Jens Lehmann earned a Premier League title in 2004 as part of Arsenal’s iconic “Invincibles” team, a season that saw the Gunners win the league without losing a single game. Lehmann’s performances in goal were key to that incredible achievement, as the German replaced the departed club legend David Seaman in goal and ensured they never missed a beat. Although he had a fiery temperament that occasionally got him into trouble with opponents and referees, Lehmann was an excellent shot-stopper and a commanding presence in the box.

11. Mark Schwarzer

From 1997 to 2008, Mark Schwarzer was a mainstay of Middlesbrough’s run in the Premier League before they were relegated the season after his departure to Fulham. His decisive keeping and athleticism earned him the title of Premier League Player of the Month in February 2010, and he earned 152 clean sheet games over the course of his career. Later in his career, Schwarzer was the back-up goalkeeper for Premier League winning sides at both Chelsea and Leicester.

The 10 best Premier League goalkeepers of all time

Without further ado, here’s our countdown of the best ever Premier League goalkeepers:

10. David James

David James was a key player for several top-flight teams over the course of his Premier League career. His most appearances came as Liverpool’s goalkeeper in the 1990s, where he drew attention for his aggressive style of keeping and his distribution.

Despite earning the nickname ‘Calamity James’ in the media after making the occasional mistake, James helped the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Man City and Portsmouth to 169 clean sheets across his time in the Premier League. Notably, James was also known for his ability to stop penalties, and still holds the record for saving the most in the history of the Premier League, with 13.

That said, one of James’ most famous moments didn’t come between the sticks. In 2005, then-Man City boss Stuart Pearce decided, with a final roll of the dice, to throw the 6’4″ James on up front in a bid to chase a win against Middlesbrough on the final day of the season – an audacious move that’s still discussed 20 years later.

9. Joe Hart

A two-time Premier League champion, Joe Hart starred in goal for an excellent Manchester City team in the early 2010s. He won three consecutive Golden Glove awards with the club from 2011 to 2013, winning a fourth in 2015 to tie Petr Čech’s record for the most wins.

Hart was known especially for his lightning-fast reflexes and ability to make incredibly difficult saves. He was renowned as one of the most talented keepers in the world in his prime, boasting 127 Premier League clean sheets.

Hart provided several Man of the Match performances throughout his time in the league, too, and had later stops at West Ham, Burnley, and Spurs after leaving City.

8. David de Gea

The pressure was on for David de Gea from early in his career, as many analysts viewed him as the next Iker Casillas. After signing with Manchester United in 2011, though, he certainly lived up to expectations by aiding his team to a league title in 2013.

De Gea has won the Golden Glove award twice, made the PFA’s Team off the Year on five occasions, and was awarded the Premier League Save of the Month for an incredible stop against Leicester City in February 2023.

Incredibly, de Gea broke Peter Schmeichel’s record to guide Manchester United to the most Premier League clean sheet games in the club’s history, with 147. In his prime, he was regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, and earned praise for his leadership abilities.

7. David Seaman

David Seaman is an Arsenal legend, and one of the most respected goalkeepers in Premier League history. Th Englishman was well-known for his cool, collected demeanor between the sticks and was a fantastic penalty saver.

One of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, David Seaman took up responsibility between the posts for Arsenal across the 1990s and early 2000s – in which time he earned two Premier League titles. With 731 league appearances across his professional career, including 344 in the Premier League, he’s one of the most experienced players in English football.

Seaman remained a steady hand in his prime and managed to guide the Gunners to over 130 Premier League clean sheets.

6. Pepe Reina

Known as one of the most agile goalkeepers in the world in his prime, Pepe Reina is among the most celebrated and longest-lasting Spanish players in club football. Having started his senior career in 1999 for Barcelona’s C team, he is still active today as a goalkeeper for Serie A side Como, although his Premier League experience came as part of Liverpool’s squad spanning 2005 to 2014.

While Reina never won a Premier League title in his career, he did win three Premier League Golden Glove awards, and led Liverpool to an FA Cup win in 2006 and Champions League final in 2007. He helped Liverpool earn more than 130 clean sheets and was named their Player of the Season in 2010 by fans. Highlighted as a strong leader with exceptional ball control, positioning, and shot-stopping, no matter what was required of him, Reina was a reliable hand in Liverpool’s goal.

5. Edwin van der Sar

Dutch great Edwin van der Sar kicks off our top five, with four Premier League titles and a Golden Glove proving his legacy as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers. With a composed demeanour and smart positioning, Van der Sar played with numerous high-profile teams across his career, starting for Ajax, Juventus and Fulham, before becoming best known at Manchester United.

Boasting a 6’6” build, van der Sar’s slender figure gave him a long reach and explosive athleticism. His use of his feet made him a strong “sweeper-keeper” before the style became the norm, while his height allowed him to block lofty shots with ease. By the time he retired from the Premier League in 2011, he had earned 132 clean sheets.

4. Alisson Becker

Having just won his second Premier League title, it’s hard to argue that Alisson Becker isn’t one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. The Brazilian keeper has been a mainstay of Liverpool’s squad since 2018, and is known for his clutch ability to make saves in high-pressure environments. He is a force to be reckoned with in one-on-ones.

Standing at 6’4”, Alisson boasts surprising athletic ability for his size and is one of the best goalkeepers in the world at rushing off his line to clear up passes over the top of the defence. He’s currently on track to reach the benchmark of a three-digit clean sheet record, having already kept over 90.

Alisson was the inaugural winner of France Football’s annual Yashin Trophy, handed to the best goalkeeper of the year alongside the Ballon d’Or – notably, he also came second to Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois in 2022. Add in his brilliant distribution skills with his feet, and it’s clear to see why Alisson is one of the top flight’s greatest ever goalkeepers, and at the age of 32 is bound to continue to make a name for himself.

3. Ederson

After joining Man City in 2017, Ederson has already earned more Premier League titles than any other goalkeeper in history (6), with his defensive capabilities playing a huge role in the club’s recent reign of dominance. Ederson is a defining player in the new generation of keepers with exceptional footwork and agility, known for his speed when rushing off the line and his passing.

The Brazilian has earned three Premier League Golden Gloves, a UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year title, and an award for The Best FIFA Goalkeeper in 2023. He has already led City to 120+ clean sheets, with that number only expected to rise.

Outside of club football, he’s also represented Brazil in international competitions since 2017 – often competing with fellow countryman Alisson. Noted in the media for his ball control and passing ability, he’s been described by previous goalkeeping greats such as David Seaman as one of the best in the sport.

2. Peter Schmeichel

The only player in our list to have won a Premier League Player of the Season award, Peter Schmeichel was an integral part of Manchester United’s success throughout the 1990s, and is regarded by many as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the sport. The Danish keeper boasted a remarkably long reach, with his 6’4” build and his signature “star jump” saving technique making him a feared opponent for any forward.

Schmeichel was a strong leader at back and commanded respect from teammates, organising defenders with impressive efficiency – and was known to be vocal about any mistakes. Having earned five Premier League titles over the course of his career, Schmeichel retired after his 2002-03 season. His son, Kasper Schmeichel, is still an active player and also makes this list of the best ever Premier League goalkeepers.

1. Petr Čech

With his towering 6’5” frame and exceptional command of the box, Czech keeper Petr Čech tops our list of the greatest Premier League goalkeepers ever. With four Premier League titles to his name, four Golden Gloves, and three UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year awards, he was a fan favourite on the pitch and renowned by pundits for his shot-stopping.

Cech is best known for 11 seasons spent guarding the net for Chelsea, where he worked with John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho to form one of the most impenetrable lines of defence in English football. He holds the Premier League record for reaching 100 clean sheets in the fewest appearances, achieving the milestone in just 180 games, his famous 2005 streak saw him play 1,025 minutes of football without conceding a single goal – a record he’d hold for four seasons.

Nowadays, Čech is still an active sportsperson, although he’s taken up goal duties for the Oxford City Stars ice hockey team. Regardless of his sport of choice, his Premier League legacy will be a tough one to match with such impressive stats, making him our No. 1 pick for the best goalkeeper in its history.

Who else ranks among the best Premier League goalkeepers of all time?

With so many goalkeepers taking the stage throughout the Premier League’s history, it’s hard to give them all their flowers. Curious to see where your favourite goalie landed? Here’s the full top 50 Premier League goalkeepers ever:

The best goalkeepers in Premier League history offer stark defence, inspiring leadership, and incredible agility. They’re responsible for some of the most nail-biting moments in the sport, with perhaps the most high-pressure job on any squad. As the league rolls on, our list is bound to see plenty of new faces, but for now, these keepers have all etched their names in the history books.

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Methodology

To rank the best Premier League goalkeepers (who’ve made 100+ Premier League appearances), we considered the following factors: 

• Premier League titles

• Premier League appearances

• Premier League awards

• Global Profile

• Relevant positional stats

• Premier League legacy

All players were ranked for each factor; and, for each, data was then normalised, to assign each player a score between 0-1. All normalised data was then combined and multiplied, to give each player a total index score out of 100. Players were then ranked according to their combined index score.

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