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Perhaps as sensational forwards like Sergio Aguero, Mohamed Salah, Marcus Rashford and Eden Hazard lead the lines for their respective teams along with the big, renowned and established goal-keepers saving their defenses such as Ederson, Allison Becker and David De Gea, the other keepers of the league have been largely overshadowed due to their mighty presence.
However, as the Premier League rolls on every season, underrated players do crop up and over-time, their consistency does validate as to why they deserve to get enough attention although they currently might not.
There is no debate regarding the significance of a goal-keeper and quite often, mid-table clubs bank heavily on the keepers that guard their goal and Premier League is indeed blessed with a good variety of keepers, players who are talented, consistent and are underrated to a large extent.
In the twenty-six game-weeks that have followed, there are some keepers who have emerged and do deserve recognition. Here are currently, the five underrated Premier League keepers.
#5 Martin Dubravka
No considerable amount of attention was given when Newcastle United got Dubravka on loan last season but his clean-sheet against Manchester United raised eyebrows and it wasn't a surprise when Newcastle made his signing to be permanent before the start of this season. In Rafael Benitez's eyes, Newcastle had solved a major issue and had got a very talented keeper with vital work-ethic.
The Slovakian has done justice to the faith in which he was bought. In 25 appearances for the Magpies this season, the keeper has kept 7 clean-sheets but more importantly, he's made 72 important saves, has made 23 high-claims and has been aggressive in punching the ball away on ten occasions.
He's made 200 accurate long-balls and has enabled the team to move forward quickly. Dubravka doesn't really come across as a tall, main organ of the team but his performances have been key and he's made a great amount of difference and has gotten less credit than he deserves.
#4 Rui Patricio
As clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea made big money signings such as Allison and Kepa to strengthen their goal-keeping departments, this signing of Wolves went considerably under the radar.
Rui Patricio arrived in a side that was excelling under their manager Nuno Espirito Santo and the Molineux knew that they've gotten a classy keeper, one who has international experience and has been in the game for a long time.
It's not been a magnificent season of course, but the Portuguese has made his presence to be felt. In 25 appearances, the keeper has made over 70 crucial saves but his contributions from the back have been really good too. He's made over 500 passes and has played 165 accurate long-balls.
He's not really commanding because he has only registered 6 punches and a similar number of high-claims but his positional awareness and his experience shows during the games. Wolves have got a very reliable keeper at the helm and they know it but it's about time that the league gives him a certain recognition as well.
#3 Ben Foster
Once upon a time, Ben Foster wasn't getting chances at Manchester United but then the next set of moves altered his entire career where he's gained about a wealth of experience and has etched his contributions on a very applause-worthy scale. In-spite of remaining as one of the consistently serving keepers, he doesn't get enough attention but his statistics stand out.
In 313 Premier League appearances, Ben Foster has kept 78 clean-sheets and even though he became noticeable in a very rigid Tony Pulis's tenure at West Brom, he has carried on his performances under Javi Garcia at Watford.
In 25 appearances so far, he's kept 6 clean-sheets but five more would take him above the tally of last season. He has made 78 saves, has accumulated 22 high-claims which shows his command and has registered 761 passes with a remarkable 243 accurate long-balls which highlight his ball playing ability.
Quite often, Foster's reactions are great too and he doesn't at all shy away from plunging in bravely to save his team. In my eyes, he's one of the noticeably underrated keepers the league has seen.
#2 Neil Etheridge
A Filipino making a terrific name for himself in the Premier League? Who would have thought! It is not surprising that the number one keeper of the Blue Birds' did get his praise from the manager Neil Warnock who lauded the keeper's quick rise from League One but this was not it as he issued out caution as well.
Much of the caution, however, has been brushed aside as Etheridge has faced the challenge of the Premier League superbly. In 25 appearances for the newly promoted team, the keeper has kept 7 clean-sheets but has made a good number of crucial saves which amount up-to 89.
He's made 3 penalty saves, has made 13 sweeper clearance but he also has played a role from the back. His 236 accurate long-balls is a brilliant statistic along with the number of passes he's played which total up to 736. Neil Etheridge has made a huge impact and he has not at all been shy of making himself known. Cardiff will continue to rely on him for sure.
#1 Lukasz Fabianski
As West Ham and Manuel Pellegrini hosted Jurgen Klopp's men at the London Stadium very recently, during the game, Fabianski was left screaming at Ogbonna and Diop to organize the defense and the passion from this certain hammer was overwhelmingly brilliant.
As eyes meet to recognize signings such as Felipe Anderson or maybe even Samir Nasri, Lukasz Fabianski arguably has to be the best signing West Ham have made this season. Commentators for that night were in awe of the keeper and why should they not be? This Polish International has come a long way from the time at Arsenal and Swansea and his performances this season has been outstanding.
Statistically, in 25 appearances, the keeper has kept only 4 clean-sheets but his performances have been beyond that. He's made 97 crucial saves and has only made one error which led to a goal which highlights his outstanding composure and focus.
His 220 accurate long-backs have helped West Ham's attack and he's made one penalty save along with 19 high-claims and 14 punches along with 102 throw-outs. Fabianski's positioning is usually superb and his reflexes deserve acknowledgment along with the command that he has. So far in my eyes, he's the most underrated goal-keeper currently in the league.
