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Goalkeepers are incredibly crucial to the success of every team and this fact is epitomised by the high price tags that they have commanded in recent years. Take the deals involving Alisson Becker and Kepa Arrizbalaga for instance: Liverpool signed the former for £66.8 million and Chelsea broke that record by signing the latter for £71.6 million.
The aforementioned duo are still the two most expensive goalkeepers in the world and are regulars in the starting line-ups of their respective clubs.
For other goalkeepers, however, getting into the first team has been a hectic struggle. In fact, some are so good between the sticks that it is shocking to know they are languishing on the benches at their clubs.
Sometimes the first-choice goalkeeper may just be better, but other times it is just down to the manager having a favourite and not because the starting player is necessarily better than the one on the bench.
Below, we take a look at five very good goalkeepers who are vying to become number 1 at their clubs:
Also Read: 5 footballers who became goalkeepers when needed
#5 Sergio Romero
Manchester United have had David de Gea as their number 1 goalkeeper since 2011. The Spaniard has proven to be very reliable in his time at Old Trafford but his recent form has been shaky.
His poor run of form has, however, not stopped him from keeping Sergio Romero on the bench. The Argentine joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2014 but is yet to claim the starting spot from De Gea despite his own impeccable record.
Romero has often been used in cup games and boasts an impressive eight clean sheets in 10 games this season. The 32-year-old has always delivered when given the chance to keep the sticks, and he continues to push for a day when he finally usurps De Gea.
Also Read: Ranking the 10 best goalkeepers in the world
#4 Alphonse Areola
There is always a tough battle for places at a club like Real Madrid and that is exactly what Alphonse Areola is currently contending with. The 26-year-old was once the first-choice goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain but now finds himself on the bench for Los Blancos.
Having joined the Spanish side on loan last summer, Areola has so far been unable to unseat Thibaut Courtois as Real’s first-choice goalkeeper. It is not as if the Frenchman is not good; he has demonstrated his quality in the three games that he has played so far this season.
However, Zinedine Zidane just prefers Courtois as his number one goalkeeper and that means Areola, despite his quality, can only continue to work hard and hope a miracle can save him from the bench.
#3 Gianluigi Buffon
In a conversation about the all-time best goalkeepers in football history, it would be blasphemy to leave out the name of Gianluigi Buffon. The Italian goalkeeper holds a legendary status in the game, having carved a career that has spanned over two decades.
For many years, Buffon was the first-choice goalkeeper for Juventus, winning numerous titles with the Old Lady in the process. However, he currently finds himself playing second fiddle to Wojciech Szczesny.
The 42-year-old left the Bianconeri to join PSG in the 2018-19 season, allowing the Pole to take his place as the club’s new number one. Despite returning to the Turin outfit last summer, the goalkeeping legend discovered that Szczesny continues to keep his place in the staring line-up. Buffon has, therefore, only been reduced to performances in the cup games.
#2 Claudio Bravo
Chile international Claudio Bravo is another top goalkeeper who is currently fighting to become number 1 at his club. The 36-year-old arrived at Manchester City with huge hopes, having starred in his two years at Barcelona.
Bravo won it all with the Catalans, including annexing La Liga and the Champions League. However, a consistent run of mistakes at the Etihad forced Pep Guardiola to find another shot-stopper. Ederson was subsequently signed and the Brazilian has since been the first-choice goalkeeper for the Citizens.
This season, Bravo has made very few appearances and is often featured in cup games. At 36, there is very little the Chilean can do to reclaim his place in City’s starting line-up.
#1 Sergio Rico
For a couple of years Sergio Rico was one of the best goalkeepers in Spain. The 26-year-old was Sevilla’s undisputed number 1 but his career has taken a massive nosedive in recent years.
After helping the Andalusia club to back-to-back Europa League titles, Rico lost his place in the team. He consequently joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan last summer but has continued to be a peripheral figure in the French capital.
He is currently playing second fiddle to Keylor Navas, who has been in superb form since joining the Parisians. However, Rico is still young and can fight his way back into contention, as his quality has never been in doubt.
