Who are the best goalkeepers ever to grace England's top flight? Here are the custodians who have stood out in over three decades at the top
10 - Jens Lehmann (Arsenal)
Jens Lehmann holds the record for conseutive Champions League clean sheets (Image credit: Getty Images)
Perhaps the only downside to Jens Lehmann's time at Arsenal is that it didn't last longer. Though the cantankerous custodian did re-sign for Arsenal in 2011 to make one last appearance for the club.
The towering German helped the Gunners to their famous 'Invincible' season, as well as the 2006 Champions League final during his five years at the club.
9. Joe Hart (Manchester City, Birmingham City, West Ham United, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur)
No one has won more Golden Glove awards than Joe Hart (Image credit: Getty Images)
Joe Hart was regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world during his prime at Manchester City, acting as a cornerstone of their initial success in the 2010s.
Hart won five major honours at the Etihad Stadium before Pep Guardiola's arrival signalled the end of his stint in Manchester.
8. Ederson (Manchester City)
Ederson: the Prem's most gifted goalie? (Image credit: Getty Images)
The definition of a modern goalkeeper, Ederson is perhaps the most technically gifted stopper the Premier League has ever seen.
The Brazilian has managed six Premier League titles, a Champions League and, of course, a number of assists across his seven-year stint in Manchester so far, and has already surpassed the 100 clean sheet mark.
7. Alisson (Liverpool)
Alisson transformed Liverpool upon arrival (Image credit: Getty)
It seems almost impossible to split the two Brazilians, as international coaches have often found... But Alisson's transformative impact on Liverpool as a club has earned him the No.7 spot.
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Stepping in to replace Loris Karius, Alisson's impact at Anfield was undeniable, playing a key role in their 2020 league triumph as well as Champions League success in 2019.
6. David De Gea (Manchester United)
David De Gea was a bright spark in a poor decade for United (Image credit: Getty Images)
One of the only bright sparks in a dismal decade for the Red Devils, David De Gea was the greatest goalkeeper in the world during his prime, single-handedly dragging the Red Devils out of the abyss with his heroic saving ability.
The Spaniard was named in the Premier League team of the season six times in just seven seasons, as well as two golden gloves despite the deficiencies of the team in front of him.
5. David James (Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Man City, Portsmouth)
David James in action for England at Euro 2004. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Another goalkeeper who fell victim to a lack of silverware, David James was one of the most dependable goalkeepers in Premier League history across his 18-year spell in the top flight.
James once held the record for the most clean sheets in Premier League history before being dethroned by Petr Cech, and still sits 2nd in the list.
James' crowning moment came in 2008 during Portsmouth's run the FA Cup glory, playing a key role in the side that beat Cardiff City at Wembley.
4. Edwin van der Sar (Fulham, Manchester United)
Edwin van der Sar was a great of the game (Image credit: Getty Images)
A true Premier League great, the Dutchman made the leap to English football after fruitful spells at European giants Ajax and Juventus.
Van der Sar played a key role in Manchester United's dominance of English football between 2007 and 2013, lifting four Premier League titles and the Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson.
3. David Seaman (Arsenal, Manchester City)
Is David Seaman England's greatest-ever keeper? (Image credit: Alamy)
Arguably England's greatest ever goalkeeper, David Seaman was an ever-present in Arsenal's success in the opening decade of the newly-formed Premier League.
The ponytail-donning stopper lifted two Premier League titles for the Gunners during his 300+ appearances in the top flight before spending the final season of his career at Manchester City.
2. Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City)
Peter Schmeichel in action for Manchester United in 1999. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Peter Schmeichel was perhaps the most intimidating goalkeeper in Premier League history, pairing a towering presence with an almost unbeatable ability between the posts.
Schmeichel was a key part of the treble-winning side of 1999, lifting the Premier League on five occasions during his time at Old Trafford.
1. Petr Cech (Chelsea, Arsenal)
Petr Cech is the greatest Premier League keeper ever: it's official (Image credit: Getty)
Petr Cech takes the crown of the Premier League's greatest goalkeeper, fending off some unbelievable competition in the process.
The Czech international's longevity and trophy haul, accompanied by the record of the most clean sheets in history land him top spot, lifting Premier League titles consistently over a ten-year period at Stamford Bridge.
A staple of the modern Chelsea we know today, Cech's legacy on the London outfit, and the league as a whole, will be remembered for generations to come.
James Ridge is a freelance journalist based in the UK. He recently spent time with The United Stand as an online news editor and has covered the beautiful game from England’s eighth tier all the way to the Premier League.
