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With the World Cup in Brazil almost upon us, the anticipation of the footballing world ahead of the showpiece event is approaching fever pitch. The World Cup brings together the finest talent from the across the globe for a feast of football that inevitably leads to debate surrounding who should be regarded as the best player in each position on the pitch.
While any choice is affected by not only national but also club allegiances, it is difficult to gauge a rightful claim to be included within the cream of the crop. However, while a striker or forward’s contribution can be interpreted in varying degrees by the watching public, a goalkeeper’s job is harder to argue with – you can’t disagree with clean sheets. Clearly there are still a number of styles to concern ourselves with, such as Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris’ athleticism and penchant to fulfil a role as a sweeper compared to the more traditional English method employed by Joe Hart, but Squawka has whittled the contenders down to just five.
The swashbuckling centre-forwards often grab the headlines on the international stage, goalkeepers too have an opportunity to seize the limelight and become the heroes via the dreaded penalty shoot-out. There must, of course, be mention of Chelsea-owned youngster Thibaut Courtois, who stands as a testament to the fact that you don’t need to be of an advanced age to don your country’s number one jersey, but who else made our list? Expect several stand out performances from our candidates this summer as they battle to keep their opponents at bay.
Manuel Neuer
First up is the Germany and Bayern Munich stalwart Manuel Neuer, who has slipped seamlessly into Pep Guardiola’s passing game at the Allianz Arena.
The 28-year-old is nigh on positionally perfect the majority of the time and is also tidy with the ball at his feet. The quick tempo employed by his club side require him to be able to pass the ball precisely when under pressure rather than simply fire it into the stands and he copes well despite such tough demands.
Neuer has under 50 caps for his national team but he marshals his back line and is likely to be a formidable presence in Joachim Low’s side for years to come. An excellent shot-stopper with outstanding reflexes, the goalkeeper will need to be at his best if he is to keep Balon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo at bay during Germany’s Group G clash with Portugal.
Gianluigi Buffon
Affectionately known as Superman, Gigi Buffon has stood the test of time.
The 36-year-old became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Juventus from Parma fo £32.1 million in 2001, which is a record that still stands to this day. Almost 400 appearances later and the Old Lady will surely agree that the goalkeeper has been worth every penny.
Despite reports that he was in decline two years ago, he has reinvented himself and remains one of the most assured and calming presences between the sticks in the world with no less than 20 clean sheets in Serie A this season. As the Azzurri’ record caps holder with a total of 140 he is a veteran in every sense of the word and was crucial to their World Cup victory in 2006.
With reliable footwork, dominance in the air, excellent positioning and perfect timing when leaving his line if you beat Buffon, you know you’ve hit it sweet. With even Italian players managing to continue into their late thirties, precisely when Buffon will hang up his gloves remains to be scene.
Hugo Lloris
The only goalkeeper on our list currently plying his trade outside of the elite that is the Champions League, Spurs might struggle to retain his services this summer. Lloris has attracted interest from Real Madrid, who are keen to appoint a long term successor to Iker Casillas, which is testament to how highly the Frenchman is rated.
Although he has grown frustrated with a leaky defence in north London that often leaves him exposed, Lloris’ reputation has been dramatically enhanced during his debut season in England’s top tier. The former Lyon man is quick to leave his line but is rarely caught out when he does so such is his ability with hi feet. However, he is also well equipped to claim high balls lofted into the penalty area and produce reflex saves of the highest order.
As Les Bleus’ captain expect him to lead the French out of Group E and into the knock out stages.
Thibaut Courtois
The Belgian goalkeeper may well belong to Chelsea, but he has made his name with Atletico Madrid. A string of loan spells at the Vicente Calderon has seen him become one of the most coveted talents in European football as his imperious spells for Diego Simeone’s side helped them claim the La Liga title with 20 clean sheets, the highest total in the league.
Still regarded as the new kid on the block despite having played at the top level for a number of years, if the west London club decide to let him leave this summer, expect Buffon’s world record fee for a goalkeeper to finally fall.
Courtois possesses a powerful frame allowing him to not only command his penalty area with maturity beyond his tender years but also produce remarkable saves. Usually young goalkeepers have a glaringly obvious weakness in their game that needs to be improved, but Courtois appears to be the complete article ahead of schedule.
The Red Devils should be regarded as dark horses for the tournament with such a talent keeping guard behind an already talented squad.
Joe Hart
The Manchester City shot-stopper may well have endured a difficult period at club level as several high profile mistakes cost him a place in Manuel Pellegrini’s side at the start of the season, but he forced his way back into the reckoning on merit.
Having grown over-confident, the 27-year-old was brought back down to earth but has responded to the set back in fine style and has produced the best football of his career en route to a second Premier League title.
Although questions were asked of him by the Citizens, Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has shown unfaltering faith in Hart’s ability. He is tremendously focused, which helps him produce saves at crucial moments in matches, although dealing with crosses remains a problem at times.
However, he is a capable safe of hands that has finally ended a drought of top level England goalkeepers. He relishes a penalty shoot-out too, which can only be a positive given the disastrous run England have encountered over the years.
Watch how the Man City ‘keeper prepares for his #HartRateMoment in the video below
