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There's no need to stress the importance of having a dependable goalkeeper. A shot being saved might not be celebrated as much as a goal being scored but keeping the ball out of one's own net is just as significant a part of the game as scoring.
The amount of work that a goalkeeper ends up having to do has much to do with the quality of the defence in front of him. So a lot of times, clean sheets alone do not make a good criterion for judging the goalkeepers.
It's a tricky thing to try and rank goalkeepers who but we'll take a crack at it. It's been a bit of a mad season in the Premier League and here, we take a look at the best goalkeepers in the league so far this season.
#5 Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Liverpool's dependable no. 1 Alisson Becker is sorely missed every single time he has been sidelined. With his deputy causing all kinds of disruption at the back during an already injury-ravaged season, Alisson's importance at Anfield cannot be understated.
He is one of the few goalkeepers who have made more saves than they were expected to. Alisson loves to come off his line and quell any approaching threat before it can burgeon into something catastrophic but it has at times become his undoing as well.
But when he is on top of his game, there are hardly any better goalkeepers around. He makes incredible saves and he is crucial to Liverpool's game by virtue of how good he is with the ball at his feet.
#4 Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
Edouard Mendy was a much needed signing for Chelsea. Getting familiar with Kepa Arrizabalaga's reckless streak is not a comfortable thing to do especially when your side's attackers are showing a lot of promise.
Mendy has sealed the leak at the back and has kept five clean sheets so far this season. Mendy is an excellent shot stopper and is adept at dealing with attempts from close range. He also adds an extra dimension to Chelsea's game with his accurate long balls.
One admirable thing about his shot stopping is that he negotiates low shots really well and makes good use of his legs and his body to get in the way of the goal. His flying save off a Marcus Rashford shot in the 0-0 draw against Manchester United is a clear example of how Edouard Mendy's inclusion has led to a significant improvement at the back for the Blues.
#3 Nick Pope (Burnley)
Nick Pope has low-key been one of the best Premier League goalkeepers over the past couple of years. Burnley have a reputation for being a very physical side and their brave goalkeeper has led from the front on several occasions.
Like Mendy, Nick Pope has incredible reflexes and has grown in reputation as one of the finest shot stoppers in Europe. Pope has single handedly kept Burnely in games where the rest of the team has failed to step up.
He has made 38 saves so far this term and while Burnley's defensive record has uncharacteristically been nothing to write home about, Pope has still managed to keep four clean sheets.
#2 Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion)
This is the aberration we gave you a hint of in the intro. West Bromwich Albion have the worst defensive record in the league but hear us out. It could have been a whole world worse for West Brom if they didn't have Johnstone in goal.
He tops the saves chart in the Premier League. The 27-year-old has made a total of 49 saves and has conceded fewer goals than he is expected to. He is one of the best shot stoppers in the league though he has kept only two clean sheets so far this season.
If Johnstone had a better defence in front of them, West Brom would be at a much better position but unfortunately, he keeps goal for a side that has time and again struggled to keep apace with the rigors of the English top-flight.
#1 Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Emiliano Martinez was sold by Arsenal even after he stepped up and delivered when he was called upon in the absence of Bernd Leno last season. Martinez has kept it up for Aston Villa and has played a crucial role in Villa's good run of form early in the season.
Emiliano Martinez has made 30 saves this season. The 28-year-old Argentine is a an excellent shot stopper and he his reflexes have consistently been on point. He is also good at saving penalties.
Martinez took a long time breaking into the mainstream but in the short time that we have watched him, he has been one of the most impressive individuals in the league.
