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There is often much debate about the ever-changing role of the goalkeeper in a team. As we enter a new era of tactics in football, the game and its demands of a goalkeeper seem to be becoming even more elaborate. The recent machinations of a more rounded game expect a goalkeeper to be good with the ball at his feet, often expecting him to be the first playmaker in a team and building up play from the back.
A Ballon d'Or shortlist comprising of no less than three goalkeepers is only a mere indication of the rising influence of a shotstopper in the modern game. One look around and you see a multitude of teams willing to pay world-record amounts to secure a pedrigreed player between the sticks.
In the modern game, a keeper needs to command his defensive area, be a supreme shot-stopper and at the same time trigger phases of play which may lead to their team scoring or at least threatening to do so.
So, keeping in mind the increased list of qualities expected in the modern-day keeper, let's look at the the top-five goalkeepers in world football at the moment.
#5 Manuel Neuer
Bayern Munich and Germany's 33-year-old custodian, Manuel Neuer came into the 2018-19 season on the back of a harrowing time the previous year on account of injuries. However, 16 clean sheets in 42 games overall for club and country seemed indicative of the fact that he had put all his injury issues behind him last season.
Neuer played a starring role as Bayern registered a domestic double and the legendary goalkeeper is still one of the mainstay's of Joachim Low's squad for Germany. While a lot of questions may be asked of Bayern's defensive frailties this season, it is without a shadow of doubt that Bayern are better with the German in goal.
A strong presence in the box and the modern goalkeeping archetype, Neuer is a leader who possesses the ability to organize a defence in addition to his ability between the sticks. Germany has always boasted a strong conveyor belt of prodigious goalkeepers with the likes of Marc Andre ter-Stegen, Timo Horn, Bernd Leno and Kevin Trapp all vying for the role of Germany's first choice in that department.
In between this melee of goalkeeping talent, Neuer, even at this stage of his career, is Germany's first choice. Perhaps, a prudent and timely reminder that he indeed still is, one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
#4 Ederson
The Manchester City shot-stopper has everything you'd expect from a modern-day goalkeeper and his exploits since joining the Cityzens has seen him establish himself as one of the most exciting goalkeepers in world football.
He has the agility, the shot-stopping nous, he is incredible 1v1 and boasts a passing range which may even put playmakers to shame. He is also a serial winner with Manchester City, who under Pep Guardiola have broken Premier League records with regards to total points and successive wins.
Since moving to England, Ederson has offered a safe pair of hands, something others before him have often failed to do. A perfect fit in Guardiola's system and a solid purveyor of the qualities he expects from his goalkeeper, he is now often the first name on the sheet.
On the other hand, keeping a staggering 20 clean sheets in 38 games for Manchester City in the Premier League last season, Ederson has conceded a mere 0.61 goals a game for club and country since making the move from Benfica.
#3 Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Marc-Andre ter Stegen made the news recently as he unwittingly entered a war of words with Germany's No.1, Manuel Neuer. Germany's second-choice goalkeeper bemoaned being overlooked by Joachim Low for a starting spot, a claim which angered all parties involved.
The debate has raged on since, with Neuer putting on a string of magnificent displays that have backed up his claims to be Low's first-choice. However, Ter Stegan's performances have been on par with Neuer's at the very least and it is only a matter of time before the Barcelona shot-stopper becomes the undisputed No.1 between the sticks.
Ter Stegen registered 23 clean sheets in all competitions for Barcelona last season and played a starring role as the Catalan giants won yet another LaLiga title and reached the semi-final stage of the Champions League.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach man was recognized for his exemplary performance last season as he's one of three keepers on the Ballon d'Or shortlist this year. An elite shot-stopper with great confidence with the ball at his feet, Ter Stegen is equally adept at leading his defence on the pitch.
Unafraid of trying the audacious and the ability to deliver under pressure, the German has held his ground against several elite attacks in Europe. Regardless of his manager's stance on him, one may well sense that it isn't long before Ter Stegen makes that No.1 jersey for Germany his own.
#2 Jan Oblak
For Atletico Madrid, keeping clean sheets is often considered second nature. A strong defensive unit kept stronger yet by the presence of Slovenian stopper Jan Oblak, the Rojiblancos are considered the toughest defense to breakdown in Europe. Statistically Oblak himself is a bit of a monster.
Consistently averaging between 0.45 to 0.70 goals allowed per game and with save percentages consistently in the high 70% region, Oblak's shot-stopping abilities are virtually unparalleled in world football at the moment.
Many will argue that his clean sheet statistic is bolstered by the strength and quality of a widely lauded Atleti backline but with most of the old guard gone, Oblak has carried on from where he left off last season and continues to enhance his growing reputation.
A man who likes to keep it simple and not do anything too flashy with the ball at his feet, Oblak has been overlooked for the Ballon d'Or this season. Yet, ask just about any manager in the world about the keeper they'd like in goal if their life depended on it, the Slovenian would feature heavily as first choice on many such lists.
As he continues to rack up clean sheets (7 in 10 games in LaLiga this season too), here's to Oblak staying on this list for many more years to come.
#1 Alisson Becker
Who would've thought a move to Liverpool was just what the doctor ordered! Alisson Becker was already garnering the attention of major European clubs with his performances between the sticks for Roma and was dubbed the 'Lionel Messi of goalkeepers' by goalkeeping coack Roberto Negrisolo, a clear indication of his abilities.
A year later, Alisson has firmly established himself as one of the best in the business. The 27-year-old played a starring role as Liverpool tallied 97 points in the Premier League and won the Champions League for the sixth time in their history. The former Roma man was also a mainstay of the Brazil side that won the Copa America last summer as he capped off a sensational season for club and country with the Golden Glove award in every competition he played.
Aside from becoming the first goalkeeper in the history of the game to win three Golden Glove awards for club and country in the same season, Alisson was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI and was also named the best goalkeeper in The Best FIFA Football Awards.
France Football released their 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or and Alisson was unsurprisingly named in the list and it has been reported that the Brazilian is well in line for a top-five finish, alongside fellow teammates Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane.
A commanding presence in the box, almost unbeatable in the air, Alisson is an elite shot-stopper with a save percentage to rival anyone out there. Aside from his ability to pull off a series of match-saving saves when the occasion calls for it, he also possesses a calmness on the ball that often borders on arrogance.
Unfazed by any situation around him, he is the spitting image of focus and concentration on a football pitch and has distribution skills that form a crucial part of Jurgen Klopp's philosophy at Liverpool.
At present, you would struggle to find anyone who is more complete as a goalkeeper than Alisson. The reason why he tops this list!
