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History has shown that Premier League-winning teams are reliant on a solid foundation and an impenetrable defense. These days, a good goalkeeper is characterized not just by athletic dives and show-stopping saves. Instead, they are also judged by his ability to pass out from the back and pick out his teammates with pinpoint precision.
Premier League goalkeepers have to be good with the feet
Coaches have put a lot of emphasis on improving their goalkeeper's accuracy, vision, and power during training sessions. These aspects are a blueprint of sorts for the up-and-coming modern-day goalkeepers, who are integral in leading the team to success.
There have been several instances where the goalkeeper has been highly influential in creating goals and has often provided a direct assist to his forwards. The shot-stoppers are vital to the club and will win several points for the team throughout the season.
Here, we take a look at the five best goalkeepers in the Premier League right now with immaculate ball distribution:
Note: All stats are from FBref
#5 Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris has been a prominent figure in Tottenham Hotspur’s starting eleven thanks to his vast experience and leadership qualities. The Frenchman also has pinpoint distribution and commands the six-yard area effectively.
Lloris has attempted 154 40-yard or longer passes in the Premier League and has completed 69, which equates to a completion percentage of 44.8. The Spurs goalie has an average goal-kick distance of 41.2 yards, whereas his passes are 38.1 yards long on average.
This is Lloris’ tenth season with Tottenham, and he has managed to keep four clean sheets so far. Spurs have not been as good as they would have liked this term. Lloris will look to use his ball distribution to pass more effectively under Antonio Conte and improve their poor form in the Premier League.
#4 Łukasz Fabiański
Since joining the Hammers in 2018, Łukasz Fabiański has been their number one choice in goal and is assisting them in maintaining their fine form in the Premier League. The 36-year-old has attempted 160 long passes and completed 70 of them, with a completion percentage of 43.8.
The sizeable amount of long passes he has tried indicates his ability to spot runs and help the attackers get behind the opposition as quickly as possible. His average distance on goal kicks and passes is 53.7 and 39.7 yards, respectively, which is quite high and is one factor why he takes precedence over Lloris.
West Ham’s new emergence as challengers for the top four spots in the Premier League is also because players have shown a desire to attack. Fabiański seems to have adapted well to David Moyes’ game plan. He will want to see his side finish strongly by the end of the season.
#3 Karl Darlow
Karl Darlow has already played eight Premier League matches this season as a result of Martin Dubravka being on the sidelines. Darlow has completed 75 out of 172 passes longer than 40 yards, which is a completion percentage of 43.6.
He can definitely kick the ball a long way and boasts an average goal-kick distance of 59.8 yards. This is one of the reasons why he is placed higher on the list despite having a lower pass completion percentage. His passes are 49.8 yards on average which is also quite a high number.
The 31-year-old has not managed to keep any clean sheets this season in the Premier League, which does not help the Magpies in their fight to stay in the division. He will hope that his long-range lobs will find the likes of Saint-Maximin and Almiron, who can help the Magpies going forward.
#2 Ederson Moraes
Pep Guardiola’s modus operandi of possession-based football has helped Manchester City dominate the Premier League and establish themselves as one of the best teams in Europe. Ederson has been phenomenal for the Cityzens between the posts, and the 28-year-old goalkeeper is excellent on the ball and calm under pressure.
Whether it may be starting a slow, passing move from the back or a direct lob to his forward men, Ederson has proven to be technically skilled. He is also known for his excellent passing range and reliability in finding teammates to set up a quick counter-attack.
The Brazilian has a long pass completion percentage of 55.7, having completed 39 long passes out of 70, and has an average pass distance of 29.1 yards. Ederson has won the Premier League Golden Glove award for the past two seasons and has seven clean sheets to his name so far this season.
#1 Alisson Becker
The Liverpool number 1 has been exceptional for the Reds ever since he signed for them in 2018. The Brazilian has been instrumental in their victory in the 2019 Champions League and has displayed superb all-round performances.
Many Liverpool fans will fondly remember his wonderful assist to Mo Salah against Manchester United last season, displaying his brilliance from the back.
Alisson won the Champions League, European Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with Liverpool in 2019, and Copa America with Brazil. He has also won the Yashin Trophy, Champions League goalkeeper of the season, FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year, and the Premier League and Copa America Golden Glove Award.
Alisson has attempted 101 passes which are more than 40 yards and has found his teammates with 58 of them. He has a league-high long pass completion percentage of 57.4, with an average pass distance of 29.1 yards.
Alisson has kept six clean sheets for the Reds so far and will hope for more to come as Liverpool challenge for the Premier League title.
