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The 2020-21 Premier League season turned out to be an interesting one for goalkeepers. The English top-flight boasts some of the best shot-stoppers in the business, but some of the usual suspects performed well below expectations for one reason or the other.
Liverpool superstar Alisson Becker could be classed in this category, as the Brazilian endured a relatively underwhelming reason by his lofty standards. He made amends with a series of eye-catching displays at the business end of the season and topped it off with a historic goal against West Bromwich Albion, but Alisson made a few uncharacteristic errors in the 2020-21 campaign.
In stark contrast, a handful of goalkeepers outside the traditional top six made a massive impression, while new signings also took to their first season in the Premier League with aplomb.
Goalkeepers are scrutinized more than most other players in world football, as their mistakes make bigger headlines than the saves they make. The 2020-21 season was no different, as the harsh realities of being the guardian of the sticks were at times brutally exposed by attackers.
On that note, here are the five best goalkeepers of the 2020-21 Premier League season.
#5 Kasper Schmeichel | Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League over the years and enjoyed yet another fantastic season in the top flight. The Danish international is incredible with the ball at his feet, while he is also the leader of the Leicester City backline.
Brendan Rodgers' side narrowly missed out on a place in the UEFA Champions League next season, but Schmeichel was one of his most reliable players. He played every minute of Premier League football and recorded 11 clean sheets, while he finished the season with zero errors leading to goals.
Schmeichel did, however, jeopardize his side's UCL hopes on the final day of the season. He came off his line for a corner but failed to gather the ball, as it resulted in a goal for Tottenham Hotspur. Nevertheless, the experienced goalkeeper made 88 saves over the course of the season and was largely a reliable figure between the sticks for the Foxes.
#4 Illan Meslier | Leeds United
Leeds United took the Premier League by storm after securing promotion from the Championship and finished ninth on the league table with 59 points to their name. While a handful of players enhanced their reputations under Marcelo Bielsa, Illan Meslier's performances between the sticks turned heads across Europe.
The Frenchman became the youngest goalkeeper in Premier League history to record 10 clean sheets, as he broke Joe Hart's 13-year record in February. Still just 21 years of age, Meslier's reactions are amongst the best in the business, while he also has a knack for coming off his line quickly to suffocate opposition attackers.
He made 35 appearances in the Premier League and recorded 11 clean sheets, as Leeds made their presence felt in their return to the top-flight.
#3 Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa
Emiliano Martinez finally got his big break in the Premier League after swapping Arsenal for Aston Villa last summer. The Argentine shot-stopper delivered a string of magnificent displays for the Gunners at the business end of the 2019-20 season and earned himself a move to Villa Park, where he has quickly established himself as a fan favorite.
Under Dean Smith, Martinez was an ever-present in the 2020-21 season and recorded a staggering 15 clean sheets, while he also saved one penalty. Martinez had to wait for his time to shine in the Premier League, but he now looks like a fantastic goalkeeper and has proved to be a terrific addition to an exciting Aston Villa squad.
#2 Edouard Mendy | Chelsea
With Kepa Arrizabalaga failing to live up to the hype, Chelsea opted to snap up Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy last summer. The Senegalese goalkeeper was hailed as a decent addition, as he joined the club for a modest £22 million fee. He immediately hit the ground running and replaced Arrizabalaga between the sticks, as he impressed with his shot-stopping prowess and ability on the ball.
Mendy is one of the first names on the team sheet under Thomas Tuchel and has added some much-needed stability to the Chelsea backline, with the addition of Thiago Silva also proving to be an astute one for the Blues.
Mendy kept 16 clean sheets and saved one penalty in his debut season in the Premier League. He has firmly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper and looks set to enjoy a long career at Stamford Bridge.
#1 Ederson Moraes | Manchester City
Hailed as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in world football, Ederson enjoyed another outstanding Premier League season with Manchester City. He won his third league title in four years and also got his hands on the Golden Glove for the second season in succession, as he made 36 appearances in the top-flight.
Ederson's ball-playing ability is second only to Manuel Neuer, while he is also amongst the very best shot-stoppers in the business. He recorded 19 Premier League clean sheets and made a staggering 16 sweeper clearances, while he also saved one penalty.
