'%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)
Goalkeepers are the most underestimated players of any team. It is generally the strikers who run away with all the fame but without a good goalkeeper, the efforts made by a striker are of no use.
The success of a team is almost interlinked with the success of the goalkeeper. This has been proved at the biggest and grandest stage of all, FIFA World Cup.
4 of the last 6 Golden Glove awards at the World Cup went to the winners of the tournament. The other 2 went to players belonging to the 2nd and 3rd placed teams. This shows that the performance of a goalie can make or break a team.
It was proved at this year's World Cup as well. Argentina couldn't go past the Round of 16 even though, they had strikers like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, and Gonzalo Higuain. The reason for Argentina's poor performance was the horrendous showing put up by their goalkeepers, Willy Caballero and Franco Armani.
Portugal was eliminated in the Round of 16 even though they had Cristiano Ronaldo. This was due to a below average performance from their goalie, Rui Patricio. These examples just reiterate the fact that, goalkeepers are the unsung heroes of a team.
The reason underdogs like Croatia and England were able to qualify for the Semifinals was due to superb performances from, Danijel Subasic and James Pickford, respectively.
We now have a look at the top 5 goalkeepers in the Premier League at the moment.
Note: Thibaut Courtois has not been included in the list because he is most likely to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid.
#5 Ederson
The Brazilian goalkeeper has shot to fame in just a year's time thanks to his exploits at Manchester City. He played a key role for them in their title-winning season which saw them get 100 points.
He played 36 times and kept 16 clean sheets, conceding only 26 goals. He was unarguably one of the best goalkeepers in the 2017-18 season.
However, those performances couldn't earn him a place in Brazil's starting XI during their World Cup campaign.
The world's most expensive goalie, Alisson was Brazil's goalkeeper throughout the World Cup. Ederson will look to replicate his performances from last season and win the Premier League Golden Glove.
#4 James Pickford
England's #1 was brilliant at the World Cup and played a pivotal role in England's dream run to the Semi Final. He was one of the top runners for the Golden Glove but lost it to Thibaut Courtois. He also saved once in the penalty shootout against Columbia in the Round of 16.
He had a decent outing with Everton in the Premier League last season. In the 38 games he played last season, he kept 10 clean sheets and saved 121 shots.
Reportedly, Chelsea has set their eyes on James Pickford to replace, Courtois whose move to Real Madrid is almost done.
Pickford could get the chance to represent a big club and he will want to establish himself as one of the best in the entire world.
#3 Alisson
Brazil's #1 completed a world record transfer to Liverpool last week. He became the world's most expensive goalkeeper as Liverpool bought him for £66.8 million.
The 25-year-old will be involved in his first ever Premier League this summer. While playing for Roma last season in the Serie A, he kept 17 clean sheets in 37 games and conceded 29.
If he can repeat the same for Liverpool at the Premier League, he will prove it to everyone that he is worth every penny spent.
#2 Hugo Lloris
He is easily one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The French skipper was in scintillating form during the recently concluded World Cup and led his team to a second World Cup. He was brilliant for Les Bleus and only just missed out on the Golden Glove.
He has been a selfless servant for the Spurs since 2012. The Tottenham Hotspur goalie played 36 PL matches last season and kept 15 clean sheets while conceding 35 goals. He will look to lead his team from the front and take them to an elusive Premier League title.
#1 David De Gea
Who else could have been on top of this list? David De Gea is definitely one of the best in the world and it wouldn't be wrong to say that he is the best in the world. He had a dream run in the last season.
In the 37 games he played last season, he kept 18 clean sheets and conceded only 28 times. He won the Premier League Golden Glove as well.
He was one of the best players for Manchester United last season and delivered some world-class performances. If he had a better defense to support him, The Red Devils could have had a much better season and perhaps pushed City for the title.
With Mourinho looking to rope in strong defenders, one shouldn't be shocked if he concedes less than 22 or 23 goals.
