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In the early days of football, goalkeepers were only asked to do one thing - stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. Back then, keepers were not necessarily good with the ball at their feet and simply needed to kick it out of danger when needed.
These days, goalkeepers are a lot more complete. Not only are they adept at making fine saves, but they are also capable of helping their teams build from the back. Some keepers are also trusted to come charging out of their box to “sweep” the ball away from danger.
Under pressure from opponents, it takes immense skill and composure to perform a “sweep,” to intercept the ball before pacey forwards apply the finishing touch.
Today, we will take a handful of keepers who possess the necessary skill set to intercept balls outside the penalty area.
Here are five goalkeepers who can “sweep” the ball away in their sleep:
#5 Ederson - Manchester City
Defending Premier League champions Manchester City seem to be well on their way to their fourth league title under Pep Guardiola.
Much has been said about City’s charismatic outfield stars, but hardly anyone has written home about their unsung hero Ederson.
Manchester City’s immaculate system does not allow opponents to create opportunities at will. And even when they do, they are met with an immovable object in the shape of Ederson.
In 22 Premier League games this season, Ederson has only conceded 14 goals and kept 12 clean sheets. The Brazilian goalkeeper has also been prompt at coming out of his penalty box when needed.
For the reigning champions, the 28-year-old has performed 10 sweeps in the English top-flight this season.
#4 Thibaut Courtois - Real Madrid
La Liga leaders Real Madrid have been in impressive form this season. They are at the top of the league table, have won their Champions League group, and are into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
They have also bagged their first trophy of the season, the Spanish Super Cup, courtesy of a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the final.
Karim Benzema has produced the goods up top, but Los Blancos wouldn’t be in such a great position had it not been for Thibaut Courtois.
The Merengues keeper has been sensational under the bar, popping up with match-winning saves every single matchday. So far, he has played 22 games for Madrid in La Liga this season, making a whopping 53 saves.
Courtois has also been exceptional as a sweeper keeper. Under insurmountable pressure from some of the best forwards in La Liga, the Belgian has completed 14 outside-the-box clearances in the ongoing campaign.
#3 Hugo Lloris - Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have struggled to find their footing in the Premier League this season. Their talisman, Harry Kane, has been firing blanks, the midfield is in shambles, and the defenders have also been way below their best.
Amid the doom and gloom, there’s been one player who has done his best to keep the Lilywhites in the contest. The team’s unabashed skipper, Hugo Lloris has been Spurs’ knight in shining armor this season.
The France international has not only made a whopping 56 saves, but he has also rushed out of his line more often than any other keeper. The 35-year-old has performed 17 sweeping actions in the English top-flight, saving Tottenham after their defense was breached.
The north Londoners have looked a bit more solid under Antonio Conte, but Lloris has not yet had a chance to rest on his laurels.
#2 Alisson Becker - Liverpool
The heart of an outfield player in the body of a dependable goalkeeper - Liverpool’s Alisson Becker is one of the Premier League's most adventurous stoppers.
Jurgen Klopp has worked a lot on Alisson’s footwork over the years, helping him intercept passes with conviction when needed.
His game-reading has been on point this season, with the player non-hesitantly rushing out of his box to clear threatening balls.
Liverpool’s solid defensive organization has kept Alisson well-shielded, with the Brazil international only making 41 saves in the Premier League.
In comparison, his sweeping ability has been well in demand. The 29-year-old has 15 clearances to his name this season, averaging 0.75 sweeping actions per match.
#1 Manuel Neuer - Bayern Munich
The term “sweeper keeper” has been in circulation for a while now. However, there’s hardly been a more staunch advocator of “sweeping” than Bayern Munich’s captain extraordinaire Manuel Neuer.
The veteran goalkeeper has been delivering top-drawer performances for well over a decade. Not only is he known to make acrobatic saves at will, but he also possesses excellent footwork and unmatched bravado.
Unlike most goalkeepers out there, Neuer loves to dribble with the ball at his feet. The German international rushes out of his line whenever possible and intervenes with rock-solid conviction.
Most importantly, he prioritizes recirculating the ball instead of just kicking it out of play. The 35-year-old always looks for passing lanes and tries to instigate a counter-attack if possible.
Neuer, who is set to feature in his last World Cup this year, has been a rock at the back for Germany and Bayern. Whoever decides to pick up the baton will have scary big shoes to fill in the coming years.
