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Football is a game that is won by the team scoring the more number of goals. However, at times, it becomes important to keep things tight at the back to ensure a better chance of success. And that is exactly where keepers come into the equation.
Goalkeepers are rare commodities yet are a component without which a title-winning machine can hardly be envisaged. But, the job of keepers is an extremely thankless one. While a safe and sound display might not make the headlines, even a slight error magnifies the mistake to historic proportions.
Over the years, the role of the goalie has evolved with managers now more inclined to play with a keeper adept at passing the ball. Thus, keepers with excellent ball-playing abilities and shot-stopping attributes distinguish themselves.
At the moment, there are several talented goalkeepers plying their trade across the world and their importance can’t be overstated enough.
Thus, as a tribute, we would indulge in ranking the five best goalkeepers across the globe currently and explain why they make the cut ahead of the others.
Honourable Mentions: Manuel Neuer, Ederson, Hugo Lloris and Gianluigi Buffon
#5 Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
The Belgian made his dream move to the white half of Madrid in the summer. Though he initially struggled to get into the side, Courtois has proved his worth over the course of the season.
At the moment, Real Madrid are enduring a tough season and their stars are just struggling to get going. Yet, Courtois has been one of the few who can hold their head high this term.
Throughout the term, the Belgian has averaged 2.5 saves per game. Additionally, Courtois has bailed Real Madrid out of trouble on numerous occasions even as his defence has fallen apart around him.
Moreover, the Belgian is an impressive shot-stopper and extremely commanding under high balls. Thus, it places Courtois among the goalkeeping elite.
At 26 years of age, Courtois is only going to improve and hence, it comes as no surprise that he makes our list.
Also see : Manchester Transfer News, Real Madrid Transfer News, EPL Transfer News
#4 Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
The Brazilian was another high-profile goalkeeper who was on the move in the off-season. After impressing in the Eternal City, Alisson found himself packing his bags for Merseyside and boy, hasn’t he made his mark at Liverpool.
For a while, Liverpool’s search for a top-notch goalkeeper had borne only futile fruits. However, the arrival of Alisson has signified an end to their forage and the Brazilian has painted as solid a picture as any between the sticks.
In addition, the Brazilian’s ball-playing attributes have helped Liverpool in constructing play from the back.
Though he has produced a howler or two, Alisson has largely been composed under crosses and has dealt with shots expertly. Moreover, the Brazilian’s ability to come up trumps in clutch situations has come to the fore with his point-blank save against Napoli a perfect example.
At this juncture, Alisson represents one of the safest options in goal and thus, easily takes the No.4 spot on our list.
#3 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
The Slovenian has been at the top of his game for the past few years and has been a rock for Atletico Madrid between the posts.
Having joined in 2014 as the most expensive goalkeeper in the Spanish League ever, Oblak has been worth every penny so far. In the current season as well, the Slovenian has saved 2.4 shots per game and has kept 10 clean sheets in 20 games.
Blessed with cat-like reflexes, Oblak has made a living saving close range shots and is an extremely difficult proposition to get past. In addition, his concentration levels are astounding and he rarely commits a silly mistake.
The only aspect where the Slovenian can improve is arguably his distribution. Yet, with the goalie only 26 years old, he has sufficient time to iron out that flaw too.
Oblak was signed for well below 20 million in 2014. However, his value has sky-rocketed since then and he can certainly consider himself as one of the ace goalkeepers on the planet currently.
Thus, he rounds off the top three of our list.
#2 David de Gea (Manchester United)
The Spaniard has been around the upper echelons of the goalkeeping circle for the past five years. In that time, de Gea has picked up Manchester United’s Player of the Year award four times while also winning the Golden Glove in 2017-18.
De Gea though, didn’t have a great start at the Theatre of Dreams. Criticised for his untidiness under crosses, the Spaniard was labelled ‘too weak’ to be able to cut it in the Premier League. Yet, over the years, he has proven those doubters wrong in some style.
When the Spaniard is on form, there is nothing that goes past him. Capable of using his feet as adroitly as his hands, de Gea has been Manchester United’s saviour on countless occasions.
However, in the past few months, errors have crept into the Spaniard’s game. Though he still boasts of the ability to turn games on its head, the odd high-profile glitch is what pulls him down in the race to be crowned the best goalkeeper in the world.
Yet, there is absolutely no denying that De Gea is a joy to watch when on song and deservedly takes the runner-up spot on our list.
#1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen (FC Barcelona)
The award for the ‘Best Goalkeeper in the world’ goes to none other than the German goalkeeping sensation, ter Stegen.
Ter Stegen arrived at Barcelona from Borussia Monchengladbach and initially had to play second fiddle to Claudio Bravo. However, since the Chilean’s departure, the former has made the goalkeeping spot his own.
The German doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses and is as skilful within the confines of the penalty box as he is in dealing with long-range efforts.
Moreover, the aspect which places the German on a higher pedestal than his peers is his ball playing ability. Entrusted with building play from the back at Barcelona, ter Stegen has fulfilled the responsibility with aplomb.
Thus, it is just a shame that ter Stegen hasn’t been able to wrest the German goalkeeping spot from Neuer. Yet, that can be put down to the latter’s brilliance rather than the former’s inabilities.
All that aside, though, there is no denying that Ter Stegen is the premier goalkeeper in the world.
Hence, without a shadow of a doubt, he takes the numero uno spot on our list.
