Pole Topper: Is Wojciech Szczesny the best goalkeeper in the Premier League?

Wojciech Szczesny

Wojciech Szczesny, Hugo Lloris, Petr Cech and David de Gea. An illustrious list to choose from but the media’s constant berating of goalkeeper blunders has helped blur the way we perceive the Premier League’s finest between the sticks. So, who comes out on top in this head-to-head?

Jack Wilshere certainly has his own opinion, which he recently voiced via twitter.

Top 3 keepers in the Premiership? I’m going with 1.Sczcesny. 2. Hart. 3. De Gea. Opinions please? I was stuck on number 3!!

— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) November 16, 2013

Following the recent 0-0 clash between Everton and Tottenham, attention turned to Lloris’ head injury and the decision, or indeed lack of it, to replace the Frenchman, despite his brief loss of consciousness.

Debate raged on into the morning and a well-earned point for both sides set against a backdrop of resilient defending was sadly ignored. The men between the posts have, on the whole, stolen the limelight.

You could argue De Gea can count himself lucky to be on the outskirts of goalkeeping discussion, at least for the time being, but even Chelsea stalwart Cech has found himself par for the post-Premier League weekend narrative after a less than convincing display in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion last time out.

And then there’s Wojciech Szczesny, the opening weekend’s goalkeeping tale of ridicule through defeat to Aston Villa. However, the Pole’s stock has since risen to such an extent that he has penned a new deal in what Arsenal have inevitably described as a “long-term” contract.

Szczesny has portrayed a chastised character in past seasons but appears to have transferred that particular baton over to Hart, whose inexplicable error at Stamford Bridge built not only a platform for mass derision but also led to demotion, with City manager Manuel Pellegrini having seen enough.

So, in an era where goalkeeping mistakes have become something of a norm, it has become increasingly hard to judge just who can claim the crown of best shot-stopper in the top-flight.

Each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Szczesny’s outstanding reflexes and calmness in possession make for the perfect modern-day keeper, but the Gunners’ No.1 has become renowned for making untimely mistakes rather than simply being prone to the odd fault.

An otherwise thoroughly encouraging display at home to Liverpool lately was so nearly marred by a stupid decision to overplay at the back. Promising, but certainly not the polished article. No pun intended.

Cech’s experience is invaluable and he has proven a tremendously reliable servant for Chelsea. Some of his saves down the years have been breathtaking and crucial in equal measure. It is no coincidence he holds the joint-most clean sheets since the inauguration of the ‘Golden Glove’ award alongside Edwin Van der Sar and is second only to Pepe Reina and Joe Hart for overall awards.

Then, there is the opinion that the Czech Republic veteran has simply been able to rest on his laurels for too long at Stamford Bridge, reflected in some patchy early season form. With Thibaut Courtois continually improving at Atletico Madrid, his previously unrivalled first-team spot is no longer guaranteed.

De Gea goes toe to toe with Szczesny in the most-improved contest. The Spaniard displayed enormous potential upon his move to England but his Latino heritage as a goalkeeper appeared to count against him as the season wore on, becoming increasingly liable from set -pieces and even die-hard Manchester United fans would attest his best form was saved for last season after a mixed beginning. He still fails to instill as much confidence as Old Trafford greats Peter Schmeichel or Van der Sar, say, but there is certainly time to eradicate that.

Perhaps the most fascinating case in this respect is Lloris, who does not appear to have as noticeable flaws as his fellow competitors. The Frenchman has oozed class ever since his arrival at White Hart Lane and has come to prove the bastion of consistency for his side since toppling Brad Friedel in the goalkeeping pecking order.

A goalkeeping Performance Score that comes fourth overall in the league so far supports the idea that Lloris has continued his fine form and is a stat made all the more remarkable by the fact he would top the chart but for a -28 possession score which, admittedly, does hint at an area of vulnerability.

His distribution success of 54% is the only patent aspect of the Frenchman’s game that holds him back. Football traditionalists would contest that a goalkeeper’s role is to simply prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net. True, but only to an extent.

In the contemporary game, whether they like it or not, emphasis is placed on the last line of defence to step up and effectively perform a sweeper-like cameo to keep sides ticking over from the back. Szczesny (67%), Cech (65%) and De Gea (61%) all post marginally superior figures here and a 45m distribution length, albeit again by the narrowest of differences, points to less success in playing out from the back on Lloris’ part.

With that said, he can undoubtedly be delighted with other parts of his game and it seems difficult to impose a possession-based statistic as a slight on the Spurs stoppers’ performance when he has seven clean sheets from 10 matches, less appearances than any of Szczesny, Cech and De Gea. It cannot be praised highly enough. His tally of 23 saves is 9th overall when compared with the rest of the league and only Szczesny prevails from the select four.

An average saves total of 4.60 ought to also be discussed, particularly when the Pole once again provides the nearest challenge with 2.70.

So why has Szczesny convinced those behind the scenes at Arsenal that his unfulfilled potential may finally be about to be realised? Well, three clean sheets from 11 league games may well speak more about those in front of him rather than his own exploits. Think back to just last Sunday to see the slightest of defensive mishaps capitalised on, but there was nothing Szczesny could do to prevent Robin van Persie nodding home.

An average goals conceded reading of 0.91 is worse than Lloris, level with Cech and better than De Gea. Perhaps not the best barometer here, either.

An average of 2.45 saves per game marks him out as one of the top shot stoppers in the division, but it is his ability with the ball at his feet which sets him aside from the majority. Of this particular quartet, Szczesny comes out on top with 67% and a 43m distribution length, illustrating his desire to play as short a pass as possible from his own box. It is a philosophy which is being replicated across the league, yet only Michel Vorm (75%) and Tim Howard (69%) can boast a better record in this department.

While the North London rivals’ respective stars continue to shine bright, Cech and De Gea have failed to sparkle quite so as we close in on a third of the way through the season.

Where the Chelsea man can take heart from his slump in form is his maintenance of a 100% average claim success which, albeit matched by the impressive Lloris, shows there is life in the old dog just yet.

De Gea’s outlook is not so rosy. It must be taken into account that a United back-line chopped and changed seemingly at will this season by David Moyes has hardly performed to the requisite standards, but the former Atletico Madrid prodigy will still be disappointed not to stand out in any field here, with his average saves per game (2.36) the closest he comes to gazumping the London-based trio, with Szczesny out in front.

The regurgitated narrative of Joe Hart’s rapid decline has served to place his adversaries in the shade somewhat but the continued rise of Lloris and revival of fortunes for Szczesny are every bit as newsworthy as the struggles which threaten to engulf the keepers most typically associated with sitting atop the table.