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As another year comes to an end, we take a look back at the 12 months gone by and recognize the best players and managers who have performed well in the calendar year. With teams winning trophies, doubles and even trebles, there have been a number of high-performing players and managers who deserve all the accolades that come their way.Looking at the calendar year 2015, we have shortlisted 10 of the best goalkeepers this year. The players appear in no particular order.Who is your pick? Remember to vote at the end of the article.
#1 Manuel Neuer
“I think Neuer has redefined goalkeeping.”
The above statement, made by legendary German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn no less, has now become accepted knowledge. Manuel Neuer has changed the expectations of a modern goalkeeper, often playing a ‘libero’ in addition to his heroics in goal.
Despite not quite reaching the impossibly high levels he set last year, Neuer has had a fairly excellent 2015, being ever-present as Bayern Munich romped to a Bundesliga title, but lost out in the penultimate stages of the Champions League and the DFB Pokal, where he missed a penalty too. Bayern have been so dominant that they probably wouldn’t have even needed the former Schalke man in goal.
Neuer’s relatively topsy turvy year was aptly summarised in the Champions League encounter against Arsenal on the 21st of October. The German pulled off a stunning point-blank save from a Theo Walcott header, that had many labeling it their ‘save of the season’, only to completely miss the ball from a regulation free-kick, allowing Olivier Giroud to score.
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 43 |
| Saves | 53 |
| Goals Conceded | 34 |
| Saves Per Goal | 1.56 |
| Clean Sheets | 23 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 0/1 |
#2 Rogerio Ceni
“Rogerio Ceni is Sao Paulo”
After 23 record-breaking seasons, legendary Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni hung up his boots this season, calling time on a glittering career at 42 years of age. The Brazilian World Cup winner has numerous awards to his name, having made his reputation on a penchant for scoring from direct free-kicks.
Ceni played over 1200 games for his club, the second highest by any player in the history of the game, while having the most club victories of any player. The Brazilian scored 131 goals for his side, the most memorable being a free kick in injury time that gave Sao Paulo a win over their rivals Corinthians.
While Ceni had a stop-start season due to injuries, he still managed to rack up his goalscoring tally this year, but was sadly unable to play his last ‘official’ game. A farewell game saw an outpouring of tributes, including one from Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, who tweeted, “Congratulations for your career and your trajectory. You are an example of an athlete and person. Good luck in this new phase.”
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 23 |
| Saves | 57 |
| Goals Conceded | 23 |
| Saves Per Goal | 2.48 |
| Clean Sheets | 10 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 1/2 |
#3 Claudio Bravo
“He is the best goalkeeper for the best team in the world.”
Bravo’s coach at former club Real Soceidad, Roberto Navajas, was effusive in his praise for his former charge. Barcelona’s unique style of play requires a goalkeeper with stellar passing and decision-making, attributes that define Bravo as a goalkeeper.
Bravo has had a stellar 2015, lifting a staggering six trophies in the calendar year, five of which came with Barcelona while also leading his country, Chile, to their first ever Copa America title. The 32 year old Bravo has quickly exorcised the ghost of Victor Valdez in Barcelona’s goal, going on clean sheet streaks that would put another goalkeeper to shame.
Bravo cemented his place in Blaugrana hearts with his sterling performance in the El Clasico this season, notably saving a one-on-one against Cristiano Ronaldo.
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 32 |
| Saves | 56 |
| Goals Conceded | 20 |
| Saves Per Goal | 2.8 |
| Clean Sheets | 18 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 1/2 |
#4 David De Gea
A fax machine could have nearly ruined David de Gea’s 2015.
The Spaniard’s stunning performances last season saw him voted into the Premier League Team of the Year for the 2014/15 season, with his save against Everton picking up the BBC Match of the Day ‘Save of the Season’ award. Multiple personal accolades amidst a barren year for his club, Manchester United meant that De Gea faced intense speculation going into the summer.
Real Madrid’s last minute attempt to sign the Spaniard was comically botched up at the last moment, but De Gea did not let that affect him. The 25 year old continued his stunning form when Louis van Gaal brought him back into the side, the best of which was a jaw-dropping save from a Jose Fonte header that earned United 3 points against Southampton.
Fonte’s vote for the best goalkeeper might be obvious, saying, “It was a great save from David De Gea, I thought it was in. He showed why he is considered one of the best in the world.”
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 38 |
| Saves | 78 |
| Goals Conceded | 38 |
| Saves Per Goal | 2.05 |
| Clean Sheets | 13 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 1/2 |
#5 Gianluigi Buffon
“Italy have been in a World Cup final every 12 years and I hope to still be there in 2018.”
Gianluigi Buffon made this wish fresh off a World Cup win in 2006, and it seems like the evergreen goalkeeper will turn his wish into reality. Despite multiple challengers to his legacy, such as Mattia Perin and Nicola Leali, Buffon continues to defy expectations and is turning in some stunning performances for club and country.
The 37 year old is the very definition of his nickname ‘Superman’, his one-handed stop against Dani Alves in the Champions League reminding everyone that he is still at the peak of his powers. That particular save was nominated for UEFA’s ‘Save of the Season’ award, and just like his club, fell short at the end.
Juventus’ captain did lift the Scudetto in 2015, and was credited with the Bianconeri’s recent turnaround this season by his coach Massimiliano Allegri, who further went on to claim, “It's one thing seeing him only in one game when you are his opponent, but it's another when you see him training every day -- I believe he's the best goalkeeper in history.”
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 46 |
| Saves | 86 |
| Goals Conceded | 33 |
| Saves Per Goal | 2.61 |
| Clean Sheets | 20 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 1/3 |
#6 Kevin Trapp
Paris St. Germain have the power to purchase any keeper in the world. However, the French champions chose to pay Eintracht Frankfurt €9 million for the services of Kevin Trapp. Germany’s #2 keeper enticed the Parisian’s with a stellar second half of the 2014/15 season at the mid-table Bundesliga side, with his saves often bailing out a porous defence.
Trapp had begun life at the Parc des Princes in great form, with 10 clean sheets in his first 16 appearances for the Parisians. However, a couple of high profile gaffes against Bordeaux and Real Madrid in the Champions League, sullied his great early season form. Trapp’s response to his howlers reveal much about him; the German made a couple of vital saves against Real Madrid in the same game, keeping PSG in the tie.
The 25 year old was brought in to compete with Salvatore Sirigu, but his excellent aerial handling and quick distribution have seen him make the #1 spot his own, swiftly followed by a first callup to the German national side. While Trapp is still backup to Neuer, the German’s growing stature means that PSG have their hands on a gem.
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 41 |
| Saves | 90 |
| Goals Conceded | 38 |
| Saves Per Goal | 2.37 |
| Clean Sheets | 19 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 0/2 |
#7 Keylor Navas
Keylor Navas’ future hung in the balance on transfer deadline day, but as the keeper’s proposed move to Manchester United fell through, the Costa Rican returned to a club that had just tried to sell him. It would’ve been easy to throw in the towel, but Navas is made of sterner stuff.
Just days later, he was at his best against Espanyol, continuing his run of saving 90% of the shots he faced, a statistic that fell after the Clasico. In addition, Navas makes the most saves per goal from all the goalkeepers in this list. Navas has made numerous stunning saves this year, a last minute stop that prevented Atletico from winning the Madrid derby is particularly notable.
Navas was also magnificent when Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo, with their striker Nolito being denied from close range multiple times. The stiker was effusive in his praise, saying, “It’s down to Keylor. He made three or four saves [so good] that I have no idea how he made them.”
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 22 |
| Saves | 42 |
| Goals Conceded | 12 |
| Saves Per Goal | 3.5 |
| Clean Sheets | 14 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 2/1 |
#8 Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois makes this list solely through his performances in the first half of the calendar year. However, so stellar were the Belgian’s performances that it would be a disservice to the Premier League winner were he to be left out.
Courtois’ most notable save of the year came when the Blues were leading 3-2 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League. As Thiago Silva thundered a header towards goal, Courtois’s telescopic arms had to at full stretch to divert the ball away. However, his efforts were undermined minutes later as Chelsea lost 3-3, a precursor to the manner in which Chelsea’s backline would protect him later in the year.
The Belgian was sent off on the opening day of the 2015/16 season, and later tore his meniscus, reducing his impact of Chelsea’s fortunes in the latter half of the season.
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 24 |
| Saves | 63 |
| Goals Conceded | 30 |
| Saves Per Goal | 2.1 |
| Clean Sheets | 6 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 1/4 |
#9 Samir Handanovic
Samir Handanovic beat Gianluigi Buffon into many Serie A Teams of the Year. The Slovenian’s run of six consecutive penalty saves grabbed all the headlines, but also does him a disservice. Handanovic is a far more complete keeper than just penalty saving, his handling and distribution, which were weaknesses, have improved in the latter half of this year.
Handanovic has made a habit of bailing out Inter Milan’s woeful defence multiple times this year, with a notable moment being his 95th minute save against Bologna striker Matias Destro’s point-blank effort that gave Inter a 1-0 win. Technically, Handanovic’s save was almost perfect, he closed the gap between him and Destro quickly, made himself big and yet managed to divert the ball away from the danger zone, in less than half a second.
Handanovic followed that up with an extraordinary quadruple save against Roma, thwarting the Giallorossi and his own defender four times in as many seconds. Handanovic has made the odd high-profile error this year, which tends to place him below Buffon in the goalkeeping stakes, although it would be foolish to bet against the 31 year old usurping Buffon’s throne next year.
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 24 |
| Saves | 63 |
| Goals Conceded | 30 |
| Saves Per Goal | 2.1 |
| Clean Sheets | 6 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 2/4 |
#10 Petr Cech
Petr Cech is one of the few men loved by both Chelsea and Arsenal fans alike. The Czech custodian was a £10 million buy, but quickly proved his worth to the Arsenal fans, despite a couple of debut howlers against West Ham.
Cech has saved the Gunners on multiple occasions, but has made point-saving saves in the big games, notably against Liverpool and Manchester United. The veteran shot-stopper is tied with David James’ record of 169 clean sheets in the Premier League, but has achieved the feat in far fewer games.
Apart from saves, Cech bring a big persona to the Arsenal dressing room; never have the Gunners’ defence looked calmer and more assured than with ‘Big Pete’ behind them. John Terry’s pre-season prediction that Petr Cech would earn Arsenal 12 to 15 points seems to already be coming true.
Prior to the 4-0 mauling against Southampton, Cech’s numbers were the best in the Premier League, but the Czech stopper will be keen to prove that it was just an anomaly.
| 2015 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 27 |
| Saves | 70 |
| Goals Conceded | 25 |
| Saves Per Goal | 2.8 |
| Clean Sheets | 13 |
| Penalties Saved / Conceded | 0/0 |
