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Goalkeepers are very important for a team’s plan as seen in the World Cup winning performances of Iker Casillas and Manuel Neuer at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
A good goalie can sometimes be the difference makers to the fortunes of a team. In the past decade, certain big clubs have had legendary goalies manning the posts for them. Real Madrid had Iker Casillas, Manchester United had Edwin Van der Saar and Barcelona had Victor Valdes.
Among the current crop of goalkeepers, there are some that have stood out and here is a list of the top 5.
#1 David De Gea (Manchester United and Spain)
David De Gea is the reason why Manchester United still have a slim hope of the title.
He has kept Manchester United in the game with unbelievable saves this season.
There were question marks on his ability to adapt to the Premier League in his first two seasons, but since then he hasn’t looked back.
He had to wait for his turn to become the Spanish No.1 with Casillas dominating the position for his country. If we are to see a Spanish resurgence at the World Cup in Russia, De Gea will be an integral part of that.
He was Manchester United’s best player in the 2014-15 season and is currently in the form of his life.
#2 Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea and Belgium)
There is very little to separate between Courtois and De Gea. He was brilliant for Atletico Madrid when they became champions of Spain in the 2013-14 season.
He was superb playing for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, helping Los Rojiblancos before returning to Chelsea where he has won two league titles.
He began the season in the worst possible way (conceding three goals against Burnley after Chelsea were reduced to 10 men) but kept clean sheets against Arsenal and Manchester United.
When he returned to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid, he was the first choice ahead of Petr Cech (who was a Champions League winner with Chelsea).
With Manchester City 14 points ahead of the Blues, Chelsea might shift their focus to the Champions League where Courtois will play a major part in the round of 16 clash against Barcelona.
Chelsea is lucky to have him. Real Madrid is said to want to get him in the summer transfer window if they fail to get De Gea. He is only 25 and there are many years left for him to become the world’s best.
He twice won the Zamora trophy with Atletico Madrid in La Liga and also won the Premier League Golden Glove last season when Chelsea won the Premier League.
#3 Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (FC Barcelona and Germany)
Ter Stegen at just 25 is already on course to become the very best goalie in the world. After Claudio Bravo’s move to Manchester City, he has become the No.1 for Barcelona.
He is brilliant with the ball at his feet. Some of the best strikers in La Liga like Antoine Griezmann and Andoni Aduriz have been unable to beat him.
His huge leap in quality has been aided by consistency this season. The 2011-12 Bundesliga Goalkeeper of the Season is currently Germany’s No.1 given Manuel Neuer’s injury.
He has just conceded just 8 goals in both the La Liga and Champions League keeping 11 clean sheets. He was criticized after Barca’s loss away at Celta Vigo last season, but this season, he has been in fine form. He has been one of the main men for Barcelona after Lionel Messi this season.
With Barcelona getting the majority of possession in many games, he always needs to keep focus when called into action. Next up is El Clasico, a test that is sure to bring out the best in Ter Stegen. He is now capable of challenging Neuer for the starting position in the World Cup next summer.
#4 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid and Slovenia)
Oblak was part of the Benfica side that landed the domestic treble in the 2013/14 season. When he moved to Atletico Madrid for €14m, he was one of the most expensive goalkeepers in La Liga at that time and made his debut for Slovenia in 2012.
Not many would have predicted Oblak’s rise to the top when he replaced Courtois at Atletico. He is widely regarded as the second-best goalkeeper in La Liga (after Ter Stegen).
Real Madrid could not get past him in the Madrid Derby as they were repeatedly repelled by his saves and sharp reflexes. He might not be playing the World Cup next summer in Russia, but he is one player every team would want to have in their side.
Failing to convert their chances in both matches against Qarabag ultimately cost Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and rumours are circling of a mega bid from PSG.
This season, he has produced outstanding saves. He has become world class in the past two years and still more to come from him. It would not surprise me if big guns like Bayern or PSG would try to sign him in the near future.
#5 Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspurs and France)
The French No.1 is in fine form this season and is fantastic at coming off his line to prevent danger. He had conceded only 24 goals last season and even assisted two goals!
He has proved to be a fantastic signing. He was superb in the Champions League game against Real Madrid and has made more than 50 saves this season in the Premier League.
His command of corner kick situations has improved over the seasons and his physicality has also improved.
His distribution is very good as he makes about 24 passes per match. The Tottenham captain is not far behind the likes of De Gea and Courtois in the Premier League and is expected to lead France to glory at the World Cup in Russia.
