4 World-class goalkeepers who have been disappointing so far

Goalkeepers are the last line of defense for any team. When the opposition makes inroads into the final third, it is the last-ditch heroics of a keeper that saves the day.

Even in today's attack oriented football, goalkeepers occupy a very important position. For a defensive team like Atletico Madrid, their #1 Jan Oblak is as important as their star forward Griezmann.

When talking about the Number 1's in world football, invariably the likes of David de Gea, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Oblak, ter Stegen, Allison, Lloris come to our minds.

But, this season some of these exceptional goalies are struggling between the sticks. Clean sheets are eluding them and they have often found themselves at the mercy of opposition forwards, partly due to dodgy defending upfront.

So, without further ado let's now take a look at the 4 world class goalkeepers who are performing poorly at this moment.

#4 Thibaut Courtois

Courtois has been out of form since the World Cup

Courtois had a great World Cup, he was crowned as the best goalkeeper of the tournament ahead of the France captain Lloris, who lifted the trophy in Russia.

A wonderful performance at the biggest stage of international football set him up nicely for the season that followed. And in August, Real Madrid came calling and the Belgian found himself playing in LaLiga again, but this time he was to represent the other, more dominant of the Madrid clubs.

So far his second spell in Spain is not looking good. He saw his form drop coincidentally at the same time when the Los Blancos are in a crisis, had their worst start in the league ever and are now languishing at sixth in the league table.

Coming to his stats, in 10 league games the Genk academy product has only managed three clean sheets and has let in 15 goals, including a 5-goal rout at the Camp Nou.

Recently, after again shipping in 5 goals against Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League, he was at the receiving end of trolling by Chelsea fans, who were angered by his decision to leave the club this summer.

#3 Manuel Neuer

Neuer has struggled ever since his serious injury last year

It wasn't very long ago that Manuel Neuer was the undisputed best goalkeeper in the world, that too by a significant margin. Last season, he had a devastating foot injury that ruled him out for the entire season. He barely made it in time for the World Cup in Russia.

But, his much-anticipated return to action has been marred with disappointments and it is clear now that his title as the best #1 in the game is long gone.

In 11 Bundesliga fixtures, the German keeper has conceded 14 goal, which is fourth best in the league, but not even close to his standards. He has just two clean sheets to his name thus far.

His performance in the Champions League has been much better with 3 shut-outs in 4 games. On the international stage too, he has faltered and was part of the defense that let in seven goals in four UEFA Nations League fixtures, resulting in their swift elimination from the competition.

#2 Marc-Andre ter Stegen

12 league fixture, 18 goals conceded and only two clean sheets, if the team ter Stegen is playing for wasn't Barcelona, he would be in big trouble.

The last season's Champions find themselves on top of the league standings thanks to a potent attacking squad, because defensively they haven't been solid at all. ter Stegen is one of the most valuable goalkeepers in the whole world, but his performances on the pitch this season have been subpar.

He has the sixth worst defensive stat in La Liga and has conceded 10 more goals than the best keeper of the league, Jan Oblak. With Neuer's form at a low point, the former Borussia Monchengladbach shot-stopper could have stepped up his performances to earn a permanent place in Germany's national squad.

But, his own inefficiencies in the box this season mean that the chance is lost now.

#1 David de Gea

De Gea is often left exposed by his defenders

Of all the world-class keepers we mentioned so far, De Gea has shipped in the most goals with his club this season. With 21 goals being scored against him, De Gea has conceded the third most goals in the Premier League this season.

To make matters worse, he only has one clean sheet so far, which means to match his tally of 18 clean sheets from last season, he has to block all the attempted shots on his goal in 17 of the remaining 26 fixtures, which is easier said than done.

He conceded at least one goal in each of the UEFA Nations League fixtures, which has prompted fans demanding him being benched in favor of Chelsea keeper Kepa in the future.

De Gea should have been saved Aguero's goal, that went straight through his gloves (IMAGE: Dailymail)

Unfortunately for the Atletico Madrid academy product, he can seldom count on his defenders during a match, but his own blunders, like the one that allowed Aguero to double Manchester City's lead last Sunday have let him down.

Edited by Abhinav Munshi