The top 10 Premier League Goalkeepers of all time

The Premier League has seen many top class goalkeepers over its 31 years. Here are the top 10 goalkeepers to grace the Premier League.

Peter Schmeichel, Manchester United (Image Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport UK/Getty Images)

10. Shay Given

Shay Given has almost been around for the Premier League's entire existence. The Ireland international did not become a starter until he would play for Newcastle in 1997. He would reach an FA Cup final with them in 1998. Given would also do the same with Aston Villa in 2015 - however he would unfortunately lose both finals.

The only significant silverware that Given would win would be the FA Cup with Manchester City in 2011. Despite not winning many trophies, his clean sheet record proved that he was a great goalkeeper - he was named in the PFA team of the year twice (2002 and 2006).

Given made 451 appearances in the Premier League, keeping 113 clean sheets within his time at top flight English football.

9. Pepe Reina

Reina spent the majority of his Premier League career at Liverpool, achieving lots of success with the Merseyside team. The Spaniard would play under one of the most defensive managers in Rafael Benitez, contributing to his impressive 136 clean sheets in 297 appearances. 

However, that is not the only contributing factor as the Spaniard was known for his incredible shot-stopping skills. He was also one of the first goalkeepers to be comfortable with the ball at his feet. 

Reina would have a short spell at Aston Villa towards the tail end of his career, capping off a remarkable Premier League career.

8. Ederson

The Brazilian goalkeeper has been an integral part to Manchester City's success' over recent times. He finds himself as a five-time Premier League champion.

Ederson has already kept over 100 clean sheets in the division, being the third-quickest to do so. The Brazilian revolutionised the way that goalkeepers can play with their feet, helping Manchester City to start their attacks with his ability of passing at different ranges.

The City goalkeeper has kept a remarkable 102 clean sheets in 217 appearances.

7. Alisson

Since Alisson has joined the red side of Merseyside, the team instantly improved. Following a heartbreak in the Champions League final against Real Madrid in 2018, Alisson was signed from Roma - as the most expensive goalkeeper at the time.

The Brazilian has won one Premier League title with Liverpool, during the 2019/20 season. Throughout his Premier league career, the Liverpool goalkeeper has kept an impressive 78 clean sheets in 173 games.

Due to his great performances, Alisson has been able to keep Ederson out of the starting goalkeeper position for the Brazilian National Team.

Finally, the Brazilian has been one of only six goalkeepers to score a goal in the Premier League - with his last minute header against West Brom, which was a crucial goal for Liverpool's Champions League hopes.

6. Jens Lehmann

Lehman was part of Arsenal's invincible season, winning the Premier League in 2003/04. The German kept 21 clean sheets during the Gunner's astonishing feat.

The German was known for his ability to put strikers off whilst one-on-one with him, forcing the strikers to make uncharacteristic errors. He was also very vocal inside the box, being able to command his defence brilliantly.

The Arsenal goalkeeper kept 54 clean sheets during his 148-game Premier League career.

5. David De Gea

De Gea has been a staple name in the Premier League since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2011. The Spaniard would have a nervy start to his career in red. However, it would not take long for him to prove the doubters wrong, winning the Premier League title in 2013.

The longevity of the Spaniard is what has made hi so great. Only after this season, De Gea had left Manchester United. In the end, he kept 147 clean sheets in 415 appearances, making him a veteran of the Premier League.

4. Edwin van der Sar

Van de Sar would start his Premier League career at Craven Cottage for Fulham in 2001, after a tricky two years with Juventus. After joining Fulham, the Dutchman became very consistent and reliable at the back. The Dutch international would be an integral part of keeping Fulham in the Premier League for longer than many thought.

The impressive performances for the Cottagers earned him a move to Manchester United. Van der Sar would helped Manchester United find their dominant form once again. The Dutchman was regarded as United's first 'world class' goalkeeper since Peter Schmeichel.

By the end of his United career, he would win four Premier league titles. Van der Sar would leave the Premier League with 313 appearances, keeping 132 clean sheets in the process.

3. David Seaman

Whilst Arsenal had an incredible and solid defence, David Seaman made his a lot more harder for teams to break down the Gunner's defence. The English goalkeeper helped Arsenal to win two Premier League titles.

Seaman was known for not being great with his feet. However, his shot-stopping abilities was one of the best the Premier League has seen. The English international would make 344 appearances in the top flight of English football, keeping 140 clean sheets.

2. Petr Cech

No goalkeeper in Premier League history has kept more clean sheets than Peter Cech. The Czech Republic international kept 202 clean sheets in 443 appearances.

Cech helped Chelsea win four Premier League titles - with many believing his prime was during the 2004/05 season, keeping a record-breaking 24 clean sheets in one season, whilst also going 10 consecutive games without conceding a goal.

His longevity was also another key factor to his greatness, playing 443 games of top flight English football, playing for (mostly) Chelsea and their rivals Arenal for a more brief time.

1. Peter Schmeichel

An integral part to Manchester United's dominance, winning five Premier League titles with the Red Devils. It would be hard to argue that the Danish keeper isn't the best Premier League goalkeeper of all time.

Schmeichel was in net during the time of the back-pass rule being changed, meaning goalkeepers had to be better with their feet. The Dane was one of the biggest believers in wanting the rule to change, which revolutionised the way football is played. 

His shot-stopping skills guided Sir Alex Ferguson's team to five Premier League titles, including the famous treble in 1999. He was also important to United's instant counter attacks with his long throws from the back.

Honourable mentions

David James, Neville Southall, Paul Robinson, Brad Friedel, Joe Hart, Tim Howard, Mark Schwarzer, Nigel Martyn, Jussi Jaaskelainen.