Ranking the 10 Best Premier League Goalkeepers of All Time

One of the most celebrated football leagues in the world, the Premier League has produced some of the best goalkeepers in the world in its rich timeline. While the strikers and midfielders are often celebrated for their contributions to glory, the goalkeepers go down as the silent warriors, who serve as the most reliable defense of the teams. Here’s a look at the 10 best Premier League Goalkeepers of all time.

From making match-defining saves to helping the progress of a game, from playing as passing maestro to serving as a hero during penalty shootouts, the best Premier League goalkeepers of all-time have achieved everything in their lives to go down as folkloric heroes to the current crop of fancy stoppers.

From Petr Cech to David Seaman, from the hero of Anfield, Alisson Becker to Manchester City’s Ederson, these heroes of English football are on the list of the best Premier League goalkeepers.

10 Best Premier League Goalkeepers Of All Time

Rank	Player name	Clubs	Premier League appearances
1	Peter Schmeichel	Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City	310
2	Petr Cech	Chelsea, Arsenal	433
3	David Seaman	Arsenal, Manchester City	344
4	Edwin van der Sar	Manchester United, Fulham	313
5	Ederson	Manchester City	118
6	Alisson Becker	Liverpool	95
7	David de Gea	Manchester United	415
8	Joe Hart	Manchester City	340
9	Shay Given	Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Stoke City, Aston Villa	449
10	Brad Friedel	Liverpool, Spurs, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers	450

10. Brad Friedel

One of the best of the top brass, Brad Friedel was a testament to his longevity and consistency, serving as a warrior for nearly two decades under the crossbar of Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers.

His flexibility and long hands made him a reliable figure in the English top division, even when he was nearing his career at Spurs. Friedel made 450 appearances in the English Premier League and still holds the record of making the most number of consecutive appearances in the English top flight (310). There is no surprise to see him on the list of the best EPL goalkeepers in history.

Also read: Ranking Ten Best Goalkeepers in Premier League Currently

9. Shay Given

The most legendary stopper of Newcastle United, Shay Given played 449 games in the English top flight, a number that highlighted his true worth. The Irish goalkeeper spent 12 years at St James Park and made an impressive 344 appearances for the Black and white shirts, before trying his luck with Manchester City and Aston Villa respectively. The way Given had represented himself during his playing time, he was already in the fray of the best goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League.

8. Joe Hart

Joe Hart is among one of the legends who saw the rise of Manchester City in the EPL and lived in it. The former Cityzen and West Ham showstopper, who wore gloves in English football in more than 300 games, lifted the Premier League title in 2011 and 2014 and oversaw the rise of the dominance of Manchester City. Hart was the heart of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad and became one of the best PL goalkeepers of all time.

7. David de Gea

A young Spanish goalkeeper, David de Gea first came to the shores of England in 2011 for a world record transfer fee at that time. Upon his arrival, despite being burdened with lots of responsibilities, de Gea delivered big time and made sure that he ended up being the most trusted stopper of Manchester United before becoming one of the best goalkeepers the Premier League had ever seen.

Before leaving the Reds in 2023, the Spaniard had broken multiple records of the English top division such as Peter Schmeichel’s most clean sheet record in a year for Manchester United by claiming 18 clean sheets before winning the golden glove. De Gea also became the first player to win three consecutive Player of the Year awards at United. 

6. Alisson Becker

The journey of Alisson Becker from being the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in 2018 to becoming one of the best Premier League goalkeepers in history is a learning lesson for all young players who wish to wear gloves one day.

In his debut season, the Liverpool stopper kept 21 clean sheets, the most by any goalkeeper in Premier League history. Before winning the English top flight in 2020, the Brazilian lifted the coveted UEFA Champions League title in 2019. The Red has already won almost every major title and is touching new heights with each passing season. 

5. Ederson

Another young Brazilian, Ederson is next on our list of the greatest Premier League goalkeepers of all time. If anyone asks you why he is regarded as a legend at such a young age, show him the performance highlights of Ederson at Manchester City.

From being selected in the 2018 FIfA World Cup squad for Brazil, the City stopper uniquely revolutionized his ability and style. His brilliance and ball-throwing skills combined with offensive and defensive awareness have made him one of the finest of all. 

4. Edwin van der Sar

The second most glorified figure between the sticks for Manchester United, Edwin van der Sar has solidified his place as one of the best goalkeepers of all time in the Premier League.

With four consecutive Premier League titles under his belt, the celebrated stopper of the Netherlands was always adored by Sir Alex Ferguson and the United fans during his stint at Old Trafford. In the glorious chapter of the Reds, Van der Sar played a big role, serving as a lone warrior at the backline. 

3. David Seaman

Widely popular for his calmness, composure and leadership qualities, David Seaman emerged as one of the finest Premier League goalkeepers at Arsenal. The three-time English top-flight winner, Seaman was one of the most influential figures in the title-winning campaigns in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Premier League, FA Cup, English Cup, you name it, Seaman has won everything. Very few goalkeepers have been as consistent as David Seaman in the Premier League.

2. Petr Cech

Records, titles, season-defining saves and several clean sheets will tell you why we have chosen Petr Cech as one of the best Premier League goalkeepers of all time.

The Chelsea legend was pivotal in the Blues’ amazing success in the 2000s. Their tall physique, quick reflex, agility and quick-thinking ability made them one of the most prized assets of the English top flight. The Czech Republic international holds multiple records including the most clean sheets (24) in a season and the most clean sheets record in Premier League history (202).

1. Peter Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel is the best Premier League goalkeeper of all time, as the former Manchester United captain stood at the pinnacle of his career in an unparalleled and unrivaled manner, such his stature was once.

His body language, fearless style of play and energy became pivotal in Manchester United’s success under Alex Ferguson. For his creativity and contributions, Peter Schmeichel’s name was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003. 

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