5 greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history

While strikers and No.9 have become the rarest commodities in the Premier League, one more breed that has gone slowly extinct is goalkeepers. While goalkeeping has evolved over the years, the nature of play has also changed. And Premier League goalkeepers are no different. From goalkeepers who could make acrobatic saves to ones who could just die on the pitch for the side, the Premier League has seen it all. 

In this article, we will look at the 5 greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history. These are the goalkeepers who made a difference for their side in the most efficient and disciplined way in a league that has high intensity.

1. Peter Schmeichel 

If there is any keeper that would have made strikers retire, would need a special mention. This is what the Manchester shot-stopper, Peter Schmeichel did at Old Trafford. The Danish international ensured that the strikers didn't get an easy pass towards the goal. He was one of those players who could scream at the defense line and defensive midfielders as if they had scratched his car. 

With over 390 appearances for Manchester United, he had multiple trophies including Premier League titles and Champions League to his name. His star-jump saves made him the superhero in the 90s when the goalkeepers had indifferent jerseys. He made a cartwheel in the treble-winning match against Bayern Munich in the 1999 finals, that sent the fans delirious. For the cost that he came, Sir Alex Ferguson had difficulty replacing him, whose absence was felt by the club when joined the rivals.

2. David Seaman

One of the greatest goalkeepers in Arsenal history, who was adored by Tottenham Hotspur fans, David Seaman was an iconic shot-stopper at Highbury. Joining the top Premier League outfit from Queens Park Rangers in a deal worth €2 million, he rocked for GUnners with his iconic ponytail and mustache combination, looking like a cool uncle. Arsene Wenger, the then manager of Arsenal, called him “Safe Hands” which might give a different picture but that does not define the acrobatic and ridiculous saves that he was pulling off. 

With over 550+ appearances for Arsenal over a decade, he had 137+ clean sheets in the Premier League from 272 matches. Even at Manchester City, where he featured for a season, he had four clean sheets to his name in 19 appearances. 

3. Petr Cech 

An ardent servant of two rival clubs, with a decade in London, Petr Cech is known for his rugby-style helmet after he met a horrific head injury. The player was tough in his attitude, making life difficult for the opposition. The 2000s kid will definitely remember his services in saving penalties too. 

Arriving from Stade Rennais in a deal worth €13 million to Stamford Bridge, he stayed over a decade with 494 appearances for Chelsea in a decade before moving to their rivals in a deal worth the same amount. With Arsenal, the player had 139 appearances before hanging his boots. He is one of the few players who has garnered respect from fans across both teams.

4. Edwin van der Sar 

While Manchester United had the best goalkeeper in the 1990s, they also had in the second set of the team that was built by the great Sir Alex Ferguson. They had the lightning striking twice with them landing Edwin van der Sar. The Dutch international was more of a quarterback playing in goal with his ability of being a ball-playing goalkeeper. He would rather die than commit a mistake. The best part about Edwin van der Sar was about making things ridiculously easy. 

The strikers, who would hit the ball with significant pace and power, were caught by the shot-stopper of Manchester United with ease. While four years at Craven Cottage made him feel like a human, as soon as he turned to Old Trafford, he enjoyed collecting clean sheets with ease. He was a traffic controller who was controlling chaos. Over 260 appearances for the English outfit, he had a Champions League and multiple Premier League titles to his name. 

5. Alisson Becker 

Right, let's talk about this Brazilian genius who's basically reinvented what a keeper should be. Alisson's not just a goalkeeper – he's like some perfect mix of a sweeper, quarterback, and traditional keeper all rolled into one. The mad thing is, he makes these ridiculous saves while looking like he's just stepped out of a shampoo commercial. Liverpool fans probably still can't believe their luck after years of keeper drama.

Watch him during a game – he's so chill he might as well be sunbathing between saves. But don't let that fool you – this guy's got reflexes that'd make a cat jealous. Plus, he's probably better with his feet than some midfielders. Remember that mad header he scored? Only Alisson could score a 95th-minute winner and make it look like he does it every weekend.