'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Ligue 1 has been a big market for many of the top European clubs. Players have developed well in the French league and gone on to play for bigger clubs across Europe's top five leagues.
Eden Hazard is one of the best examples when it comes to this. The Belgian forward was a star in Ligue 1 and became a massive player after joining Chelsea in the Premier League.
Ligue 1 has high-quality goalkeepers
In 2021, Ligue 1 saw some fascinating performances from the players between the sticks. After seeing Edouard Mendy grow and become a big sensation since his transfer to Chelsea, more clubs are keeping a close eye on the French league.
Ligue 1 has seen their goalkeepers be instrumental in the final outcome of the season and that has been the case in 2021. On that note, let's take a look at the top goalkeepers of the French league in this calendar year.
#5 Anthony Lopes (Lyon)
Anthony Lopes was born in France to Portuguese parents. Having come through the ranks at Lyon, he made his senior debut for the French club in 2012 and has been with them ever since.
The Portuguese goalkeeper has had some memorable moments at Lyon in his 10 seasons with the club. One of the best moments would be to be named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in the 2019-20 season. The 31-year old had 11 clean-sheets last season after playing all the Ligue 1 matches for Lyon.
He had a save % of 70.8%, making 94 saves last season. This season, Anthony Lopes' save % has increased to 75% with 69 saves already made in 17 Ligue 1 matches. Had it not been for him, Lyon would definitely have been in the relegation zone in the 2021-22 campaign.
#4 Walter Benitez (Nice)
Walter Benitez played in the early stages of his football career in Argentina. In 2016, Nice signed the Argentine to secure his services from Quilmes.
Since then, Benitez has been with the French club and has become a regular starter for them. He had a stellar 2018-19 season with them, keeping 16 clean-sheets in 35 Ligue 1 matches.
Last season, the Argentine conceded 53 goals with Nice, the most he has in a single season with the French club. Despite that, he had a save % of 72.5%, making 119 saves in the process. Nice's defense was responsible quite a lot for making Benitez be this active between the sticks.
The 2021-22 campaign, is possibly the best one for Benitez so far, conceding just 17 goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances. With a save % of 77.6%, the Argentine goalkeeper is proving his worth and helping the club.
#3 Predrag Rajkovic (Reims)
Ligue 1 has always been a comfortable place for incoming players. Predrag Rajkovic has definitely enjoyed some comfort in his three seasons in France.
The Serbian was signed by Reims from Red Star Belgrade in 2019 and has been impressive since his first season itself. He kept 12 clean-sheets in 27 appearances, allowing just 18 goals in the 2019-20 season. Last season, he made an incredible 113 saves with a save % of 71.3%.
There has been no relaxation for Rajkovic this season as Reims continue with their struggle in defense. The Serbian has been called upon frequently, having made 43 saves in 19 Ligue 1 matches. His performances in 2021 have been key to keeping Reims away from the relegation zone.
#2 Mike Maignan (Lille)
The French goalkeeper started his career with Lille and was with them until this summer when he decided to join AC Milan. Mike Maignan is a very commanding player between the sticks and a very efficient one at that.
Last season, he played a massive role in helping Lille win Ligue 1 and beat Paris Saint-Germain to the title. He kept 21 clean-sheets in 38 league appearances, making 86 saves with a save % of 79.4%. His shot-stopping ability was second to none as it brought a lot of composure at the back.
It was painful for the Lille fans to see him leave Ligue 1 this season but it was something inevitable given the number of clubs he was attracting. Mike Maignan has had a positive start to his AC Milan career, keeping five clean-sheets in 13 league appearances.
#1 Keylor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain)
The 35-year old has had a wonderful football career having played for great clubs like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Keylor Navas was at Madrid for almost six seasons before moving to France.
He has been with Paris Saint-Germain since 2019 and won Ligue 1 with them in his very first season. Last season, he kept 15 clean-sheets for them with a save % of 80.9%.
Using all his experience and sharpness, Keylor Navas performed brilliantly for the French club and was unlucky not to have won the league for his wonderful performances.
He has made 11 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2021-22 campaign, conceding just 10 goals. Keylor Navas' place in the starting XI is at stake with the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma. Nonetheless, his performance in 2021 was a delight to watch and one the Costa Rican can be proud of.
