So who really is the best goalkeeper in the English Premier League this season? You may think it's only the big names and the goalkeepers of the so called bigger teams are the best. Well, but no, not always. It's not always that the stats give you the right idea of who's better than the other but stats do matter. Here is my list of what I think are the current top 5 goalkeepers
5. Lloris
Signed for Tottenham at the start of the season from Lyon for €10 million and €5 million variable. Started the season on the bench behind Brad Freidel. Soon his quality was shown and he forced his way into the starting line up. He is also responsible for some of Tottenham's fine display at crucial times. The 26 year old was also in contention for December player of the month when he conceded only 4 goals in 6 matches, but eventually lost out to Robin Van Persie.
4. Pepe Reina
Considered as one of the best goalkeepers playing in the Premier League in the last decade for Liverpool. Some of his performances have not been up to standards but still helped Liverpool this season to where they are. In the 2011-12 season, he announced that he would like to stay at Liverpool for another 6-7 years. This season with average performances by Liverpool as a whole, there are speculations whether he would sign a contact extension or no. May be that could be affecting him, but his performances are good enough to earn a 4th place on the list of top goalkeepers this season.
3. Joe Hart
Had a very good season last time around. Probably the best English goalkeepers in recent times, but just as Manchester City's form has dipped compared to last season, so has Hart's form gone down. He is one of the most commanding goalkeepers that I have seen, and considering his age, the 25 year old has time on his side to achieve the much talked about potential. Said to be the future Manchester City & England captain says all about his existing quality.
2. Petr Cech
One of the best goalkeepers to have ever worn the Chelsea shirt. With over 400 appearances for the blues, he's justified his position at the club with some fine performances. Talked about as one of the best ever goalkeepers after Peter Schmeichel, but his head injury 2006 left him out for several months, and unfortunately we never got to see the same form again since his return.
1. De Gea
Playing for one of the most famous clubs in the world can invite pressure. De Gea and Lindegaard were always in contention for a place in the starting line up.. well, that was a thing of the past. Now it's only De Gea in contention. His fine performances in the middle & the latter part of the season has surely smacked a punch on the critics. Current is on a run of 6 consecutive clean sheets. Right from his days at Atletico Madrid, you knew he had something special. His unorthodox saves are something new to the Premier League.
Other Premier League stats
- Tim Krul, Rob Elliot & Julio Cesar are the only goalkeepers to have a assist to their name this season.
- Siman Mignolet, Joe Hart, Asmir Begovic & Jussi Jaaskalainen are the only goalkeepers to have played each and every minute this season in the Premier League .
- Mark Bunn of Norwich is the only Goalkeeper to be showed a red card this season.
- Joe Hart has the most number of clean sheets with 14, Cech & Begovic follow up with 11 & 10 respectively.
- Mark Schwarzer has the most penalty saves with 3
- Petr Cech & Joe Hart lead the PPI(player performance index) with De Gea in 3rd place, althought De Gea has played a significant number of games less than the top 2.
- De Gea has the best Shots to save ratio.