Being a goalkeeper may be the trickiest position on a football pitch, but in the Premier League, there’s nowhere to hide.
Whether you’re gunning for the title or hoping to stay up by the skin of your teeth, a top shot-stopper can make all the difference come the end of the season.
This year has once again highlighted the best and worst of those between the sticks, with Manchester City’s move for Gianluigi Donnarumma proving to be an eye-catching transfer.
Ranking factors
To help place every No 1 in the correct order from best to worst, we have considered the following criteria:
Current form – how well they have played over the last few months Club – whether their performances meet the required standards of their team Reliability – how trusted they can be to avoid errors Overperformance – whether they can make saves they would not be expected to
Rank
Player
Age
Club
Nation
Gianluigi Donnarumma
26
Man City
Italy
Alisson
33
Liverpool
Brazil
David Raya
30
Arsenal
Spain
Emiliano Martinez
33
Aston Villa
Argentina
Jordan Pickford
31
Everton
England
Matz Sels
33
Nottingham Forest
Belgium
Dean Henderson
28
Crystal Palace
England
Nick Pope
33
Newcastle
England
Robin Roefs
22
Sunderland
Netherlands
Bernd Leno
33
Fulham
Germany
Guglielmo Vicario
29
Tottenham
Italy
Djordje Petrovic
26
Bournemouth
Serbia
Senne Lammens
23
Man Utd
Belgium
Bart Verbruggen
23
Brighton
Netherlands
Caoimhin Kelleher
26
Brentford
Ireland
Robert Sanchez
27
Chelsea
Spain
Lucas Perri
27
Leeds
Brazil
Alphonse Areola
32
West Ham
France
Jose Sa
32
Wolves
Portugal
Martin Dubravka
36
Burnley
Slovakia
12 20-16 Martin Dubravka, Jose Sa, Alphonse Areola, Lucas Perri, Robert Sanchez
Robin Roefs cost Sunderland around £9m following their return to the Premier League, and after replacing Anthony Patterson as first choice at the Stadium of Light, made an excellent start in England.
Should he continue his form, the 22-year-old’s value will only increase, and he could have a big part to play in the Black Cats’ attempts to remain in the top flight.
8 Nick Pope Newcastle
Nick Pope’s season last time out was affected by injury, but he has still proved himself as a solid goalkeeper for Newcastle United.
Now a Wembley winner following Carabao Cup success, the former Burnley shot-stopper has formed part of an impressive Toon outfit that looks primed to secure Champions League football.
While perhaps past his best, Pope remains a goalkeeper who seems at home in the Premier League, though compared to his counterparts, middle of the pack feels about right.
7 Dean Henderson Crystal Palace
Dean Henderson is by no means the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, but he has finally found a home at Crystal Palace, where he is now flourishing following his exit from Manchester United.
Henderson has marshalled a relatively tight defence and helped the Eagles win the FA Cup and Community Shield.
6 Matz Sels Nottingham Forest
Matz Sels has been a delight for Nottingham Forest, epitomising his team’s role as the division’s surprise package by becoming one of the Reds’ most important players.
He also received the Golden Glove award alongside Arsenal’s David Raya after keeping 13 clean sheets in 24/25. Simply put, Forest wouldn’t rather have anyone else in goal than the Belgian.
Years
Club
2010-2014
Lierse
2014-2016
Gent
2016-2018
Newcastle
2017-2018
Anderlecht (loan)
2018-2024
Strasbourg
2024-present
Nottingham Forest
5 Jordan Pickford Everton
Jordan Pickford has been Everton and England’s number one for some time now, and he has continued to shine following David Moyes’ return to Merseyside.
His highlights last season included shutouts against Arsenal and Chelsea, while his status as the undisputed Three Lions No 1 has to count for something.
4 Emiliano Martinez Aston Villa
A Yashin Trophy winner, it’s difficult to criticise Emiliano Martinez too much, as for all of his wind-up antics and dodgy dancing, the Argentinian has continued to be a useful blockade in front of the Aston Villa goal.
Now highly experienced following his exploits on the international stage and in the Champions League, Martinez has matured – loosely speaking – into one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
3 David Raya Arsenal
David Raya has arguably been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players in recent seasons. The Spaniard totally vindicated Mikel Arteta’s decision to install him as the Gunners No 1 last season, and has continued to shine in goal at the Emirates Stadium, excelling at the top level.
He comfortably sits in the top three and has been rewarded with a new Arsenal contract in 2025.