The goalkeeper is one of the most crucial players in a football team, playing a unique and vital role in the game. A keeper is the final barrier between the opposing team and the goal. Without a skilled and top-class keeper, the defence becomes vulnerable, even if the rest of the players defend well. A goalkeeper’s ability to make crucial saves can significantly influence the outcome of a match.
Modern goalkeepers are often involved in initiating attacks, requiring strong distribution skills to launch quick counter-attacks by accurately passing the ball to midfielders or forwards. Some goalkeepers even take on the role of a “sweeper-keeper”, coming out of their box to clear balls or intercept through balls from the opposition.
The rankings below are based on the following criteria:
Let’s take a look at the best goalkeepers of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Note: All stats mentioned below have been taken from PremierLeague.com and FBref.com.
Bernd Leno was a massive presence between the sticks for Fulham this season. He started every game for the Cottagers and helped in building from the back and commanding his box.
The German goalkeeper possesses great shot-stopping abilities and reflexes. He can also release the ball quickly during counter-attacks. While he needs improvement in accurately launching long passes, he is adept at saving penalties.
This season, Leno kept five clean sheets in the league, conceding 54 goals, saving one penalty, and making 110 saves, 17 sweeper clearances, 21 high claims, and 167 throw-outs in 38 appearances. He had a save percentage of 67.8% and a clean sheet percentage of 13%. He also bagged an assist.
Leno has been a reliable presence at the back for Marco Silva’s side. The 33-year-old’s 100+ saves resulted in Fulham pushing for European places for most of the season, being thoroughly difficult to score against because of their robust defence.
Kepa Arrizabalaga had a superb season with the Cherries, almost helping them qualify for Europe with consistent performances throughout the campaign.
The Spaniard has certainly made positive strides in goalkeeping since his early years at Chelsea. He is now a more assured shot-stopper, with better reflexes and positioning as well. He is also comfortable on the ball and can play out from the back. However, he does need to improve his decision-making when coming to collect crosses or high balls, which still remains his Achilles heel.
This season, Kepa kept eight clean sheets in 31 league games, conceding 39 goals and making 97 saves, 20 sweeper clearances, 18 high claims, and 122 throw-outs. He had a save percentage of 73.9% and a clean sheet percentage of 25.8%.
Having picked up a Champions League medal with Real Madrid last season, Kepa has undoubtedly improved by leaps and bounds, proving himself to be a reliable and consistent presence between the posts. His contributions were instrumental for Bournemouth, who not only enjoyed their highest-ever points tally in the Premier League, but also delivered impressive performances against some of the league’s top clubs.
Dean Henderson was magnificent for the Eagles this season, providing match-winning saves time and again. The England international has finally found a safe haven at Selhurst Park, where he has been entrusted with regular starts to prove his credentials.
Henderson is another top-quality goalkeeper with great shot-stopping ability, reflexes, and agility. He is also good with distribution — both with his hands and feet. He is a calm, composed operator who keeps his backline in position during opposition attacks.
This season, Henderson kept 11 clean sheets in 38 league games, conceding 51 goals and making 104 saves, 25 sweeper clearances, 28 high claims, and 115 throw-outs. He also saved a penalty. He had a save percentage of 66.7% and a clean sheet percentage of 28.9%.
The 28-year-old proved vital to Palace, as they also secured their first-ever piece of silverware by winning the FA Cup this year. Despite keeping more than 10 clean sheets this season, it’s evident that Henderson can improve even further.
Emi Martínez has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world for a few seasons now. The two-time Yashin Trophy winner is a reliable presence at the back for the Villans, and this season was no different.
Martínez is an exceptional shot-stopper with an imposing presence in the box. He is an aggressive goalkeeper who excels in saving penalties. The Argentine also has a habit of playing mind games with the opposition forwards during penalties, which mostly tends to work out in his favour — at the expense of jeers from the opposition fans.
This season, Martínez kept nine clean sheets in 37 league appearances, conceding 45 goals and making 100 saves, 24 sweeper clearances, 52 high claims, and 132 throw-outs, having also saved one penalty. He had a save percentage of 69% and a clean sheet percentage of 21.6%.
Although the veteran World Cup winner wasn’t at his absolute best this season, he still played a crucial role in helping Aston Villa secure key victories and mount another strong push for Champions League qualification. Looking likely for a potential departure from Villa Park, there’s no doubt that the club will feel his absence between the posts. Despite a dip in form, his quality remains undeniable — and several top European clubs are likely to express interest in securing his signature.
England international Nick Pope had a great season for the Magpies. The Tyneside outfit had a successful campaign as they secured Champions League football for next season and also won their first trophy in 70 years by securing the EFL Cup.
Pope is a dynamic modern-day goalkeeper who possesses great shot-stopping ability but also likes to play as a sweeper-keeper. He actively engages in defending outside the box, making crucial interceptions and blocks. His ability to stay comfortable on the ball makes him a vital asset, as he is equally adept at both defending and building attacks from the back. He is great at distributing precise long balls as well.
This season, Nick Pope kept eight clean sheets in 28 league appearances, conceding 35 goals, making 88 saves, 31 sweeper clearances, 37 high claims, and 192 throw-outs, and saving one penalty. His save percentage was 71.7%, while his clean sheet percentage was 28.6%.
Nick Pope is widely regarded as one of England’s most talented goalkeepers, boasting all the attributes of a top-class modern-day shot-stopper. His consistent and commanding performances have been instrumental in Newcastle United’s return to the Champions League. All eyes will be on the veteran next season to see if he can maintain his high standards against some of the continent’s elite clubs.
Mark Flekken was solid as the last line of defence for Brentford this season, proving exceptional between the sticks and helping the Bees end the season in the top half of the Premier League table.
Flekken is a top shot-stopper with great positioning and quick reflexes. He is a ball-playing keeper and can help his team build from the back with both short and long passes, helping them transition from defence to attack very quickly. He is a calm, composed operator who is also very authoritative on set pieces.
This season, the veteran Dutchman kept seven clean sheets in 37 league appearances, conceding 55 goals and making 153 saves, 15 sweeper clearances, 43 high claims, and 122 throw-outs. He had a save percentage of 73.4%, a clean sheet percentage of 18.9%, and also bagged two assists.
Thanks to his standout performances for Brentford, Mark Flekken had been attracting attention from clubs across Europe and has completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen. While Brentford will surely miss his presence between the sticks, last season’s German Bundesliga champions have secured a top-class goalkeeper who will certainly strengthen their defence.
Alisson Becker has been Liverpool’s reliable last line of defence for seven seasons now. The Brazilian shot-stopper missed a few games this season with injury but returned just in time to help his side lift the Premier League title.
Alisson is a world-class keeper with exceptional shot-stopping, agility, strength, and positioning. His ability to defend in 1v1 opportunities is second to none. Add to that his sweeping ability and distribution, and we have a near-perfect goalkeeper. His only weakness, arguably, is his relative difficulty in saving penalties.
This season, Alisson kept 10 clean sheets in 28 league appearances, conceding 29 goals and making 78 saves, 27 sweeper clearances, 11 high claims, and 128 throw-outs. He maintained a save percentage of 72% and a clean sheet percentage of 32.1%.
Alisson has been struggling with injury setbacks in recent seasons, but he continues to deliver top-level performances whenever he takes to the pitch. With Liverpool securing the services of talented Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, there is now genuine competition for the starting spot. However, given Alisson’s proven quality, experience, and consistency, it will be a significant challenge for anyone to displace him as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper next season.
Arguably Everton’s best player for the past few seasons, Jordan Pickford delivered world-class performances yet again in the season gone by, producing exceptional numbers to save the Toffees time and time again.
The England international is an excellent shot-stopper with great reflexes, agility, and strong penalty-saving abilities. He is also great at launching long balls forward to help beat the opposition press and create attacking opportunities. He is only susceptible with his positioning sometimes, but apart from that, Pickford has proven himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the league several times over.
This season, Pickford kept 12 clean sheets in 38 league appearances, conceding 44 goals, saving two penalties, and making 122 saves, 34 sweeper clearances, 28 high claims, and 161 throw-outs. He maintained a save percentage of 73% and a clean sheet percentage of 31.6%, also getting an assist to his name.
Pickford’s outstanding performances were a key factor in Everton steering clear of relegation danger.
David Raya has proved over the past two seasons why Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was adamant about bringing him to the Emirates. Having won back-to-back PL Golden Glove awards and helped Arsenal to Champions League qualification, the Spain international has been a wall at the back for the Gunners.
Raya is another example of a modern-day sweeper-keeper. He likes to play from the back, clean up defensively outside the box in case of counter-attacks by the opposition, and can also help build attacks from the back. The 29-year-old also possesses great reflexes and shot-stopping ability, often making match-saving stops. His ability to regularly save penalties further makes him a complete goalkeeper.
This season, Raya kept 13 clean sheets in 38 league appearances, conceding 34 goals and making 33 sweeper clearances, 51 high claims, and 178 throw-outs. He maintained a save percentage of 74.2% and a clean sheet percentage of 34.2%.
Ever since his arrival from Brentford, Raya has played a pivotal role in transforming Arsenal into one of the most defensively solid teams not only in the Premier League, but across Europe.
Matz Sels was crucial to Nottingham Forest’s surprising revival this season. From relegation fight to pushing for Champions League football, the Tricky Trees looked like an unbreachable force for most of the season thanks to their imposing Belgian goalkeeper between the sticks.
The 33-year-old is a commanding figure at the back with incredible shot-stopping ability and exceptional reflexes and agility for his age. He is an intelligent reader of the game, with precise positioning and the ability to make big saves under pressure. He is also good with 1v1 saves, though claiming the ball from set pieces is an area where he could improve, as he isn’t as proactive with incoming crosses.
This season, Sels kept 13 clean sheets in 38 league games, conceding 46 goals and making 120 saves, six sweeper clearances, 16 high claims, and 83 throw-outs. He had a save percentage of 73.9% and a clean sheet percentage of 34.2%.
All in all, Sels had a remarkable campaign with Nottingham Forest, playing a pivotal role in helping the club secure European football while picking up the PL Golden Glove award alongside David Raya.
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