Monday 25 July 2016

Top 5 Goalkeepers EPL season preview - Is De Gea the best around?

With the first Premier League match just 20 days away we will be looking at the top 5 keepers in the EPL who will help their teams to clean sheet upon clean sheet along the way. Who is our predicted #1 and will come out with a Golden Glove to their name?

#5 Jack Butland - Stoke City

Butland first featured in the Football League for Cheltenham Town. 
The 23 year old is somewhat a forgotten man after an ankle injury saw him miss the end of last season in addition to the Euros in France. The Stoke keeper had gained the applause of many after a handful of inspiring displays against the likes of West Ham and Newcastle where he made 9 and 6 saves respectably to see Stoke to clean sheets. The former Derby man oozes confidence whether it be shot stopping or coming out the better in 1vs1's. Butland will be hoping to challenge for England's first choice goalkeeping spot after Hart's miserable performances in France this summer, however Frazer Forster will almost certainly also have his eyes on the prize.


#4 Frazer Forster - Southampton FC

Speaking of the BIG man, Forster will be hoping to continue where he left off. An injury prevented the former Celtic man from featuring early on in the campaign, however his return to the starting line up saw Southampton to 6 straight clean sheets including a phenomenal performance vs Arsenal where the 28 year old made 10 saves! Saints will look at Forster in addition to Van Dijk and the experienced Fonte in defence to see Southampton further than their already impressive 6th place finish last season, especially after the loss of a key defensive minded player in Wanyama.

#3 Petr Cech - Arsenal FC

Cech could not help the Czech Republic past the group stages at the Euros
Cech's opening game for the Gunners after a £10 million move from London rivals Chelsea was far from a confidence booster for Arsenal fans who were hoping they had at last attained a solid keeper when compared to the inconsistent Szczesny or Almunia. After being caught in no man's land for a Kouyate header as well as a painfully slow dive saw West Ham leave the Emirates with a 2-0 victory. However the 34 year old got better and better with each game for Arsenal which was unusual given his age, Cech produced many fabulous saves including a brilliant stop vs Liverpool to ultimately win the Golden Glove. Additionally Cech beat a Premier League record with over 170 clean sheets to his name! Arsenal hope Mr. Consistent has another season in his locker, which will be aided by the fact he retired from International duty recently.

#2 Hugo Lloris - Tottenham Hotspur

Lloris only missed one game last season
Lloris proved why he was one of the best goalkeepers around at the Euros in France, the Spurs keeper can hardly be faulted for any of the 5 goals France conceded, 2 of which were penalties. The Frenchman kept 13 clean sheets last season, furthermore he made 87 saves in all, more than the likes of Hart,De Gea and Courtois, however this may speak more about each team's defensive capibilities than goalkeeper quality. All the same the 29 year old is a fantastic keeper who specialises in reflex saves, look no further than his performance vs Germany!

#1 David De Gea - Manchester United

A man bound for Real Madrid for the 2015/2016 season in fact stayed in Manchester in spite of a £29 million accepted bid. Whilst De Gea makes the odd mistake unlike the more reliable Lloirs or Cech he also pulls off mesmirising, seemingly impossible saves that leave strikers' open mouthed (most of all Harry Kane). De Gea incredible reflexes and rapid movement means he is very rarely beaten, fortunately for Manchester United the interest for De Gea has dropped significantly since and the star man looks to be staying at Manchester United for the coming season - to every Red Devils' relief. After Neuer's questionable Euros display perhaps the Spaniard is the best around?

Notable Mentions:

Joe Hart - Manchester City 
Kasper Schmeichel - Leicester City
Thibaut Courtois - Chelsea FC
  • If you came here looking for a Fantasy Football keeper check our top Fantasy Football Tips out for further insight on how to top the leaderboard
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