Top 10 Best Goalkeepers Ever in the Premier League

Some of the world’s best goalkeepers have played their trade in the Premier League throughout the history of England’s top division.

So, which stoppers rank among the top ten goalkeepers in the history of the competition?

1.    Peter Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel typically ranks top of the list when considering the best goalkeepers to have played in the Premier League. The Dane kept a remarkable 128 clean sheets in 310 matches in the competition, and won the top-flight title on five occasions during his time with Manchester United.

Schmeichel would also form an integral part of the 1999 treble-winning side at Old Trafford. Following his stay at United, the goalkeeper would continue to play in the Premier League with Aston Villa and Manchester City.

2.    Petr Cech

Petr Cech is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League goalkeepers in history. He kept a staggering 202 clean sheets in 433 matches in the competition, and was a vitally important member of the dominant Chelsea side under Jose Mourinho in the early 2000s.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, the goalkeeper won the Premier League title on four occasions, while he also won other major honours such as the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League. After ending his spell at Chelsea, he achieved further success when winning the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2017.

3.    Edwin van der Sar

Edwin van der Sar was one of the most respecting goalkeepers in Europe prior to moving to Fulham in 2001. He kept an impressive 132 clean sheets in 313 matches in the Premier League and appeared over 200 times during a seven season stint at Manchester United.

During his time at Old Trafford, van der Sar won the Premier League title on four occasions, and also recorded victories in the EFL Cup, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup.

4.    David Seaman

David Seaman is regarded as one of the most famous goalkeepers in Premier League history. He earned 75 caps for England during a 22 year playing career, with the vast majority of his professional campaign coming during a stint with Arsenal between 1990 and 2003.

Seaman would achieve notable success during his time with the Gunners, winning the Premier League title on two occasions, and being named in the PFA Team of the Year on two occasions.

5.    Alisson Becker

Alisson Becker is one of the best modern day goalkeepers in Premier League history. The stopper joined Liverpool in 2018 for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper. His influence was immediate at Anfield, and he has formed one of the most dominant back lines in recent history.

Alisson was part of the Liverpool side that ended their wait for Premier League success, while he has also played his part in Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup successes.

He is also the only one in this list still active in the league.

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6.    Brad Friedel

Brad Friedel was one of the most dominant goalkeepers in Premier League history, and played in a record of 310 consecutive matches across spells with Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham.

Friedel kept the highest number of clean sheets in the 2002-03 Premier League season, and that saw him named in the PFA Team of the Year for the only time.

7.    Neville Southall

Neville Southall was one of the most dominant goalkeepers in the early history of the Premier League, with the shot stopper keeping 62 clean sheets in 208 matches.

Southall played for the majority of his career at Everton during the 80s and 90s, and he was part of the Toffees team that won the First Division on two occasions in two of three seasons between 1984 and 1987.

8.    David De Gea

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea ranks among the best goalkeepers in Premier League history. The Spanish star kept 147 clean sheets in 415 matches for the Red Devils, and was an important star in the final title-winning team produced by United.

During his 12-year stay with United, he won virtually every trophy that was available to win, and he was named in the PFA Team of the Year in four straight years between 2015 and 2018.

David is now in Italy representing Fiorentina, where he saw a resurgence in his form and has 8 clean sheets in 25 games.

9.    David James

David James kept 169 clean sheets in 572 Premier League matches throughout the 90s and early 2000s.

Only four further players have made more appearances in the Premier League, and James was a first-choice selection for clubs such as Liverpool, Aston Villa, Man City, and Portsmouth during his career. He became the oldest goalkeeper to appear in an FA Cup final when winning the honour with Portsmouth in 2008.

10. Shay Given

Shay Given is one of the most respected goalkeepers in Premier League history, and he is widely regarded as the best Irish shot stopper in history. Given played 450 games in the Premier League, and kept an impressive 113 clean sheets.

The vast majority of his career was spent with Newcastle, and he was named in the PFA Team of the Seasons in 2002 and 2006. After a stellar career at Newcastle, he would achieve FA Cup success with Manchester City before retiring from the sport following spells with Aston Villa and Stoke City.

Peter Schmeichel: the Story of the Legendary Dane

“There weren’t many goalkeepers better than Peter Schmeichel – in his generation or any generation.” – Andy Cole.

Sir Alex Ferguson caused a stir in the footballing world when he omitted Peter Schmeichel’s name in the rather miniscule list of “world-class” players he coached while at United. The legendary coach only named four players – Cantona, Giggs, Ronaldo, and Scholes – in his book, Leading. 

Besides other notable names like David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Rio Ferdinand, many pundits wondered why Ferguson also omitted Schmeichel’s name. Who was Peter Schmeichel, and what’s the story of this iconic goalkeeper? This post shows you just what you need to know to familiarize yourself with the player’s legendary career behind the sticks.

Early Life

Peter Schmeichel was born in Gladsaxe, Copenhagen on 18, November 1963 to Inger, a Danish nurse, and Antoni Schmeichel, a Polish jazz musician. He held Polish nationality until November 1971 when his family became Danish citizens. 

Schmeichel's early years were in Buddinge, Copenhagen, where he began his football journey playing for a team in the adjacent suburb of Hoje-Gladsaxe. He played his first match on 7 August 1972 aged 8. Soon, his heroics drew the attention of BK Hero, a team from a few divisions above Hoje-Gladsaxe and with one of the largest youth football schemes in Denmark.

BK Hero later merged with Gladsaxe BK in 1979 to form Gladsaxe-Hero BK, soon after which the young keeper got the opportunity to play for Zealand FA's junior representative team. 

Before going into professional goalkeeping, he worked several jobs to make ends meet, including working at a textile factory, an old people home, and a Wildlife Conservative. His last job outside football was with an advertising firm, just before Brondby offered him his first professional football contract.

Club Career

Schmeichel weighed close to 100 kg and reached 1.93 m in height during his playing time. A fierce foe who was renowned for loudly criticizing his defenders for their errors, he had an unusual goalkeeping achievement that would see him score 11 career goals, including one for Denmark (his national team). 

Early Career: Gladsaxe-Hero and Hvidovre

He soon graduated to the Gladsaxe-Hero senior squad, where he met his first mentor, Svend Aage Hansen, the club's first team coach, and his future father-in-law. After a phenomenal performance at a youth team match against IF Skold Bikerod, Hansen approached Schmeichel with his plans for the lad, which meant he'd spend two more seasons with Gladsaxe-Hero BK before moving on to Hvidore.

He scored 6 goals at Hvidovre and worked to give his side the fifth-best defense in the league. However, despite conceding 40 goals in 30 games, he and Hvidovre finished in 14th place and got relegated in 1985. The club spent only one season in the lower division and bounced back to the 1st Division. However, Schmeichel would leave the club to join Brondby.

Brondby

In the five seasons he played with Brondby, his team won the 1st Division four times. His time with the side peaked in the 1990-91 UEFA Cup, where he helped his side reach the semifinals, keeping seven clean sheets in the tournament. Soon, his goalkeeping exploits would receive more accolades as he was voted 10th in the IFFHS “The World’s Best Goalkeeper 1991” poll. 

Manchester United

Schmeichel's performances on the international scene attracted Manchester United FC scouts, earning him a 505,000 pounds move on 6 August 1991. Ferguson later described the transfer in 2000 as the "bargain of the century," alluding to the keeper's invaluable contribution to the Red Devils. 

During his first season at United, the side ended up as runners-up in the Premier League and won the Football League Cup for the first time. His performances earned him "The World's Best Goalkeeper of 1992" by the IFFHS, foreshadowing much of what his remaining time at United would feel like. 

His 22 clean sheets the following season saw his side win the Premier League for the first time in 26 years, alongside him clinching the world's number-one goalkeeper spot. The Danish would win more trophies with United, before ending it on a high note in the 1989-99 season. Just before leaving Old Trafford, he won the Treble (the FA Premier League title, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in the same season).

Sporting CP

After leaving Manchester United, Schmeichel left for Sporting CP in Lisbon, where he signed a two-year contract. His first season saw him win the 1999-2000 Primeira Liga title, as he put an end to the team’s 18 years without a championship. After spending two seasons at Sporting Lisbon, he left the club after his contract expired in June 2001 for another stint in England.

Aston Villa

His second English stint began with a one-year contract signing with Aston Villa in July 2001. On 20 October 2001, he became the first keeper to score a Premier League goal, during a 3-2 defeat away to Everton. He went on to repeat the feat five times in the Premier League (for different other teams) from corner kicks and free kicks during regular playing time. 

Manchester City

In 2002, Schmeichel joined Manchester City on a free transfer, in a “shock” transfer, given his former allegiance to United. During his only season with City, his side went unbeaten in the Manchester derby. They won at Maine Road and drew at Old Trafford.

During the second derby, United’s Gary Neville refused to shake his hand before City went on to win the game 3-1. 

Speaking in 2018 about the event, Neville said, “You can’t play for Manchester City. I am a United fan and I can’t play for Manchester City. I can’t play for Leeds and I can’t play for Liverpool. That’s just written in stone. You don’t just play for those clubs, irrespective of what happens.”

International Career

Until 2003 when Simon Kjaer overtook him, Schmeichel was the most capped player for the Denmark national team, featuring in 129 matches between 1987 and 2001.

He played for Denmark at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 92, and another three European Championship tournaments. Also, his mastery of the game and personality, among others, earned him the national team's captaincy in 30 matches.

Career Statistics

There's no doubt that talented and experienced footballers like Schmeichel significantly influence bookmakers' odds. The Danish goalkeeper attracted the attention of punters in the world of soccer predictions in his prime. Today, the performances of many players like him still influence betting odds.

However, before you make any bets, take your time to do enough research. A good place to start is to consult a betting review platform like MightyTips, which has tips and recommendations that can help you make winning wagers. Also, don't forget to keep an eye on the current news and the state of the teams, as this can significantly affect the outcome of matches and, consequently, the odds. Using analytical tools and tips from MightyTips experts will help you make more informed decisions and increase your chances of success.

Regarding his stats, Schmeichel featured in 602 matches and scored 9 goals – an unreal figure for a goalkeeper. On the international front, Schmeichel was capped 129 times and scored 1 goal. He remains one of the team’s most capped players.

Major Honours Won by Peter Schmeichel

Schmeichel boasts a legendary career with major honors including: 

• 5 Premier League titles

• 3 FA Cups

• 1 League Cup

• 1 UEFA Champions League

• 1 UEFA Super Cup

• the European Championship with Denmark

On the international front, he won the UEFA European Championship with Denmark in 1992, alongside the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993. He was also featured in FIFA 100’s list of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers.

Conclusion

Schmeichel’s career was no doubt a legendary goalkeeping show that newer shot stoppers want to learn from. Besides his fierce personality and competitive engagements outside the 18-yard box, he would be remembered for multiple legendary saves at crucial times for both club and country.

Reflexes & Reactions: What Soccer Goalkeepers Can Learn From Jockeys

It isn’t uncommon for sports stars to cross over into other sports and gain further success.

That has been common throughout history, with Michael Jordan turning his hand to baseball after a period in the NBA, while a growing number of British and Irish rugby players are trying their hand at American Football.

So, could there be a correlation between the traits required to be a world-class goalkeeper and a leading jockey in free horse racing bets.

Some of the skills required to be a good shot-stopper in soccer can be transferrable, but do they match with those that are required to gain success in the saddle?

Also, could there be any limitations that hold back current goalkeepers from a life in horse racing?

Agility

It could be argued that one of the most important traits for stars in the saddle and in the goal within soccer is agility. In soccer, agility is incredibly important for goalkeepers, as they will need to quickly move along their line to make saves.

Being able to get up quickly after making one save is also very important, as it will often be essential to clear the danger posed by the opposing side. Having excellent agility is also important in the world of race riding, as jockeys will need to quickly manoeuvre their runners depending on how the race is progressing.

This quick-thinking and ability to follow through on plans can often be the difference between gaining winners and losers in the saddle.

Reflexes

Reflexes are also a common trait that is associated with both soccer goalkeepers and horse racing jockeys. In soccer, reflexes are vitally important for goalkeepers, as they will need to react with lightning fast instincts to help prevent danger for their team.

That could come in the form of making a save down in one of the bottom corners, or making the potentially game-changing decision to run off your line to intercept a long pass that has breached your defence.

Reflexes are also vitally important when riding horses in competitive races. The ability to make quick and informed in-race decisions are the fact that separates the world-leading jockeys from the remainder of the field.

Being able to quickly make in-race decisions can often be the important moment in competition that could prove to be the difference in registering a winner. 

Strength

Goalkeepers are required to be much stronger than many believe, as they will need to boast the power to jump high into the air to block opposing shots that could be destined for the top or bottom corners.

Reaching the ball is only the first obstacle, as goalkeepers will also need to have the power to push the ball away from danger to clear the threat of the opposing team scoring.

Strength is also vitally important for jockeys, as they will need to navigate heavy and powerful horses across the track while remaining as still as possible aboard.

Only the most powerful jockeys will have the traits required to make race-altering decisions, which could impact the final position of the runner that they are aboard. In order to have the strength required, jockeys will work incredibly hard in the gym on their core strength, meaning a lot of time is spent doing ab exercises such as crunches and sit ups.

Mental Resilience

It isn’t all about physical attributes when it comes to building the ideal jockey or professional soccer goalkeeper. It will also take a special individual to deal with the highs and lows of the sport that they are involved in.

In soccer, mental reliance is very important for goalkeepers, as it’s a guarantee that you will concede goals, and the trait will be required to quickly put anything behind you to focus on the remaining period of the match.

It is also essentially important when considering jockeys that ride at the highest level. Jockeys could take up to seven or eight rides per day, and it is incredibly unlikely that they will ride winners in all races on a card.

Therefore, mental resilience is required to refocus if a rider has suffered a tight defeat in the first race, as their focus must quickly switch to their next ride and the job at hand.

What Could Hinder a Goalkeeper from Becoming A Jockey?

Despite having many of the important transferrable traits that are well-matched to a career in horse racing, it is incredibly rare to see many goalkeepers embark on a life in the saddle.

The biggest reason for this is due to the characteristics required in both sports. In soccer, many of the world’s best goalkeepers stand over 6 feet tall, while jockeys are typically between 4 ft 10 and 5 ft 7.

Therefore, while it isn’t impossible, it will be more challenging for tall goalkeepers to transfer their skills to the saddle due to the difficulties in maintaining weight for the height.

From the Field to the Casino: Why Football Fans Love Plinko Ball Betting

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Football and betting have always been synonymous, but a new trend is catching the attention of fans everywhere: Plinko ball betting. Combining the thrill of the game with the randomness of a casino classic, it’s quickly becoming a favorite among sports enthusiasts. It’s not just about luck but strategy, excitement, and the chance to win big.

We’ve noticed how Plinko ball betting adds a fresh layer of unpredictability to the football experience. It mirrors the highs and lows we feel during a game, making every moment even more exhilarating. Whether it’s the game's simplicity or the adrenaline rush it offers, there’s no denying its growing appeal. Similarly, the excitement of football is making its way into new media, with college soccer featured on the big screen, further bridging the gap between sports and entertainment.

So, what makes this fusion of football and Plinko so irresistible? Let’s dive into why fans are flocking to this unique betting experience and how it’s redefining how we enjoy the sport.

The Rise Of Plinko Ball Betting

Plinko ball betting has quickly gained traction among football fans, merging the thrill of live sports with the uncertainty of classic casino gameplay. This blend of randomness and strategy has captivated a growing audience. For an exciting Plinko experience, visit plinkoballonline.com and explore top betting options.

A Brief History Of Plinko Ball Betting

Plinko started as a simple game of chance in casinos, gaining fame through televised game shows. Betting platforms adapted it for sports, particularly football, making it an engaging alternative for fans eager to amplify their game-day excitement.

The Intersection Of Sports And Casino Gaming

Football fans have embraced Plinko betting for its unique combination of luck and sport-specific dynamics. Integrating casino-style randomness with football predictions adds an engaging layer of suspense to traditional betting formats.

Why Football Fans Are Drawn To Plinko Ball Betting

Football fans share an innate love for unpredictable, high-pressure moments. Plinko ball betting mirrors that excitement, blending familiarity with the game’s suspense and the thrill of chance.

Familiarity With High-Stakes Moments

Football games thrive on uncertain outcomes, from match-defining penalties to unexpected comebacks. Plinko draws on this shared passion for unpredictability. Originating from "The Price Is Right," Plinko taps into nostalgia, making fans feel an instant connection to its simple yet gripping concept.

The game’s chaotic ball movement down the pegged board mirrors the thrilling spontaneity of football. The anticipation of where the ball might land keeps participants engaged, much like the suspense of a game-winning field goal or injury-time drama. This natural alignment explains the attraction football fans feel toward Plinko.

The Thrill Of Chance And Strategy Combined

Plinko ball betting mixes luck with decision-making, adding a strategic edge to the game’s randomness. Football fans often analyze game tactics or predict outcomes and resonate with this blend. Choosing starting points for the ball introduces an element of control that contrasts with its unpredictable fall.

This balance of chance and choice creates a dynamic experience similar to following football strategies unfold during gameplay. The potential for significant payouts only amplifies the intensity, making Plinko an engaging betting option for passionate fans.

Unique Appeal Of Plinko Ball In Betting

Plinko ball betting is a favorite sport among football enthusiasts. Its guaranteed wins, adaptable gameplay, and significant payout potential attract attention from fans seeking alternatives to traditional betting options.

Visual Engagement And Simplicity

Plinko’s straightforward gameplay and visually captivating board layout add to its charm. Watching the ball navigate the pegs creates an element of suspense that parallels the fast-paced unpredictability of football.

Cross-Generational Entertainment Value

Plinko appeals to a wide age range, from seasoned fans to younger audiences. Its roots in television game shows create a nostalgic connection for older fans, while its modern adaptations engage newer generations of digital bettors.

Linking Football And Casino Culture

The connection between football and casino culture thrives on shared adrenaline, unity, and emotional highs. This synergy amplifies fan experiences by combining the game's intensity with gambling excitement.

Shared Excitement And Community Experiences

Football’s thrilling matches and the lively casino environment both evoke emotional investment. Casinos tap into this by hosting football-themed events, creating communal spaces where fans celebrate victories or navigate losses together. Football nights, themed games, and tailored specials intensify this camaraderie.

The Evolution Of Fan Engagement

Casino partnerships with football leagues enhance fans' experiences of the sport. Deals offering VIP tickets, game-day discounts, and other perks unite the thrill of football with casino promotions. These collaborations strengthen bonds between clubs, casinos, and their fans, enriching the culture.

Conclusion

Plinko ball betting has transformed how football fans experience the game. It blends the thrill of sports with the unpredictability of casino gameplay. This unique mix of nostalgia, strategy, and chance offers a fresh way to engage with football while amplifying the emotional rollercoaster fans crave.

As this trend continues to grow, it’s clear that Plinko betting isn’t just a fleeting novelty. It’s reshaping the intersection of sports and entertainment, creating unforgettable moments for fans, and adding a new dimension to celebrating the beautiful game.