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The Premier League Golden Glove is awarded to the Goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in a single season in the Premier League. The award was introduced in the 2004/05 season, when it was won by Peter Cech, representing Chelsea. Incidentally, Peter Cech and Joe Hart have both won the trophy a record 4 times each. Till now the trophy has always been won by a goalkeeper representing one of Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Last season, David De Gea won the acclaimed trophy for the first time in his career registering 18 clean sheets and 115 saves in 37 games. This season though, the Spaniard has only managed 1 clean sheet in his 7 games in the league and 3 clean sheets in his 9 games in total. He is already lagging behind in the race this season and one hopes that De Gea can catch up in time.
The Premier League has hosted brilliant goalkeepers since its inception and this season too, there’s a fine crop of talents who shall fight it out for the grand prize. Today, we list the top 5 contenders for the Premier League Golden Glove at the start of October.
#5 Wayne Hennessey (Wales, Crystal Palace)
Clean Sheets: 3
The Wales International Goalkeeper has managed 3 clean sheets from 7 appearances so far. Hennessey got his first clean sheet in his first game of the season when Crystal Palace beat Fulham. However, the next three games ended in defeat, and Liverpool, Watford and Southampton all scored against Crystal Palace. In his 5th game of the season against Huddersfield, the Wales Goalkeeper got his second clean sheet, as Crystal Palace held on for a narrow 1-0 win. The next game, against Newcastle, ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw, but earned Hennessey his third clean sheet. Last weekend, Crystal Palace were defeated by Bournemouth, as Hennessey’s goal was penetrated twice.
The Wales Goalkeeper has registered 26 saves so far and has also saved 1 penalty. He has conceded 8 goals so far in 7 games, keeping 3 clean sheets and has not committed any errors which led to a goal. Wayne Hennessey is in the 5th position in the race for the Premier League Golden Glove at the start of October.
#4 Rui Patricio (Portugal, Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Clean Sheets: 3
The Portuguese International joined Wolves from Sporting CP over the summer on a free transfer and has already made his mark at the Molineux. However, his start to the new season, in a new league and a new club was not easy. In his first 3 games, Patricio could not earn a clean sheet, but his smart shot stopping and goalkeeping prowess caught the eye, especially against Manchester City. The Portuguese got his first clean sheet against West Ham and his second immediately against Burnley. He was in good form against Manchester United also, even though they scored a goal to deny him his clean sheet. Patricio earned his 3rd clean sheet last weekend against Southampton, in a 2-0 win. He has made 25 saves so far, and has let in just 6 goals in 7 games. Interestingly, he has not registered a single punch or catch in the season so far, however, neither has he made any errors that caused a goal. For all his efforts, Rui Patricio ranks 4th in this list.
#3 Kepa Arrizabalaga (Spain, Chelsea)
Clean Sheets: 3
Another newcomer who has impressed so far, Kepa Arrizabalaga made the move to Chelsea from Atletic Bilabao over the summer, to replace Thibaut Courtois, who moved to the Bernabeu. The Spaniard immediately drew attention at the Stamford Bridge, registering 5 clean sheets in 9 games.
Kepa earned his first clean sheet in his debut in the Premier League, against Huddersfield. He could not stop the opposition from scoring in his next two games, against Arsenal and Newcastle, but Chelsea won both games. Kepa got his second clean sheet against Bournemouth and his third against West Ham. Last weekend, Liverpool and Chelsea played out an entertaining 1-1 draw, where only an unbelievable Strurridge strike in the last minute of regular time denied Kepa a clean sheet.
Kepa has made 12 saves so far in the Premier League, and has conceded just 5 goals. He has not committed any errors leading to a goal and has kept 3 clean sheets in 7 games in the league. The Spaniard is currently at the 3rd position among the Top Contenders for the Premier League Golden Glove.
#2 Ederson (Brazil, Manchester City)
Clean Sheets: 4
The Brazilian almost won the Golden Glove last season, only to be denied by a fantastic David De Gea in an exciting race that extended until almost the end of the season. This time, Ederson has a good head start over his rival and the Brazilian has already registered 4 clean sheets in 9 games in all competitions. All of his clean sheets have been in the Premier League.
Ederson earned his first clean sheet of the season against Arsenal and then had to be patient as Huddersfield, Wolves and Newcastle all scored against him. Since then though, he has earned 3 back to back clean sheets, against Fulham, Cardiff and against Brighton last weekend. He has made 11 saves so far, has not committed any errors which resulted in a goal and has conceded just 4 goals. At the start of October, Ederson is currently second in the race for the Premier League Golden Glove.
#1 Alisson Becker (Brazil, Liverpool)
Clean Sheets: 4
Following the poor performances in the goalkeeping department at Anfield last season, Liverpool spent big money over the summer to get Alisson from AS Roma. The Brazilian responded by earning 3 clean sheets in his first 3 games, against West Ham, Crystal Palace and Brighton. There was a time when it looked like Alisson would run away with the Golden Glove in his debut season, however, the Brazilian committed a silly error that led to a goal in the win against Leicester. In the next game, Tottenham also managed to put the ball past him into the net. Against Southampton though, Alisson earned his 4th clean sheet. Last weekend, Eden Hazard scored past him, but the Brazilian was instrumental in Liverpool finally earning a draw.
Alisson has made 16 saves so far this season and has also registered 4 sweeper clearances. However, he has committed that one error which has resulted in a goal. In spite of that the Brazilian has let in just 3 goals and has registered 4 clean sheets in 7 league appearances. As such, Alisson is the top contender for the Premier League Golden Glove at the start of October.
