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The EPl table standings are starting to take shape, with clubs settling into their positions in the table after several rounds of Premier League activity.
With the title battle going to be close this season – only seven points separate the current top five in the Epl standings – there has been no shortage of talking topics thus far.
Arsenal have had three consecutive triumphs and three back-to-back defeats this season, demonstrating how short spurts of play can drastically change a team’s standing in the league.
Brentford and Brighton are the two noticeable early pacesetters, only Newcastle remain winless in the EPL table, with newly promoted Norwich City picking up just two points.
For those in specialized positions, we are now at the point where judgments on player form and rankings may be made.
Here are the top ten goalkeepers in the English Premier league (EPL).
10. Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa
Emiliano Martinez has possibly had the greatest rise in notoriety since the reintroduction of football during the epidemic.
The Argentine shone for Arsenal, winning the FA Cup with them, before moving on to Aston Villa and representing his country.
He helped his nation win this summer’s Copa America – their first trophy since 1993 – and has been consistently outstanding for Dean Smith’s side.
Martinez, who originally lacked both skill and personality, is now considered as one of the finest shot-stoppers in the Premier League, and his status continues to improve. However, Aston Villa’s current slump has not been kind to him, as he has conceded 18 goals and only kept four clean sheets.
Hopefully Steven Gerrard will take them back to being competitive.
9. Illan Meslier – Leeds United
Leeds have had a terrible start to the season, losing heavily to Manchester United and Liverpool, with their first three points coming against Watford last time out.
Despite surrendering 20 goals, the third poorest defensive record in the division and a two-goal per game average, Illan Meslier, the rookie goalkeeper, continues to impress.
Meslier, who came on a permanent basis from Lorient a year ago at the age of 21, has been an unquestioned starter for Marcelo Bielsa’s side ever since.
Due to his imposing height – 6ft 4in – and command of his area, his playing style has been compared to Thibaut Courtois, and his distribution from the back has also been highly appreciated.
The Frenchman appears to be a future star due to his age and ability to rapidly initiate assaults and play out with his feet.
8. David Raya – Brentford
Brentford has been the story of the Premier League season thus far, and goalkeeper David Raya has been a standout in the early going.
In Brentford’s first seven league games, his long-passing, distribution, reflex saves, and handling have all struck the eye, with three clean sheets and only six goals surrendered.
Raya is in his debut season in the English Premier League, and there were concerns about his positioning and ability to perform at the highest level while his team was surrendering a lot of attempts on goal.
He has been a regular and solid performance for the Bees thus far, demonstrating that he is capable of playing at this level.
However an injury to the shot stopper has been a nightmare for Brentford as they have slumped down to 12th on the Epl table.
7. Kasper Schmeichel – Leicester City
For many years, Kasper Schmeichel was referred to as Peter’s son, but such is Kasper’s skill, he was able to shake off that label many years ago.
Since Leicester’s 2014 promotion, Schmeichel, now 34, has been one of the Premier League’s most reliable shot-stoppers, with just a few of major blunders.
After the traumatic event with Christian Eriksen, he was one of the outstanding players of Euro 2020, with his sterling performances helping to carry outsiders Denmark to the semi-finals with his leadership qualities on show.
Schmeichel’s form, like that of his entire team, has slipped in the early stages of the Premier League season, with poor performances in recent games against Brighton, Burnley, and Crystal Palace — all of which saw the opposition score twice.
6. David De Gea – Manchester United
With the arrival of Dean Henderson at Manchester United and David De Gea’s long-term fall in form, it was unclear if the Spaniard would be the first choice goalkeeper at Old Trafford this season.
De Gea’s nightmare in the Europa League final – failing to save any of Villarreal’s 11 penalties before being foiled in his own effort – was a low point in his United career.
This season, he’s made a string of excellent saves, including one at Wolves before his spectacular Mark Noble penalty save, which ended his long run of bad luck in penalty kicks.
As he battles for a long-term United career, the Spaniard’s comeback has been phenomenal.
5. Robert Sanchez – Brighton
Robert Sanchez debuted in the Premier League less than a year ago, in November 2020, and is currently a fixture on Spain’s national team.
His prior professional experience consisted of loan periods with Rochdale and Forest Green Rovers, but he has been consistently good throughout his time with Brighton in the Premier League.
So far, Sanchez has maintained five clean sheets for the Seagulls, who have only surrendered eleven goals in their first thirteen games.
In contrast to past seasons, Brighton’s xG against is currently greater than their goals against column, a testament to their improved goalkeeping and ability to prevent big-chances against them from being scored.
Sanchez’s stock continues to rise despite his young age, thanks to his constant and understated performance.
4. Ederson – Manchester City
Another player who may have been unlucky not to rank higher, but such is Manchester City’s match control that goalkeeper Ederson is only called into action on a regular basis.
With only six goals conceded in seven games, City have the joint best defensive record in the division, and the Brazilian’s ability is measured as much by his distribution and passing ability as it is by his shot-stopping ability.
Outside of Liverpool’s two superbly-taken goals, Pep Guardiola’s team did not allow Chelsea a sniff of scoring in their recent triumph at Stamford Bridge, while Ederson was mostly untroubled at Anfield.
3. Alisson Becker – Liverpool
Alisson Becker’s form dipped last season due to unfortunate personal circumstances, but he has already rediscovered his highest level of play.
With great shot-stopping, reflexes, and game reading to close down attackers through on goal, the Brazilian has re-established himself as the Reds’ imposing presence in goal.
Was outstanding in the recent 2-2 draw with Manchester City, as well as the clean sheet victories over Norwich, Burnley, and Leeds.
The Reds will need the former Roma goalkeeper to be in top form if they are to reclaim the league crown.
2. Aaron Ramsdale – Arsenal
After being relegated with both Bournemouth and Sheffield United, Aaron Ramsdale was under pressure following his £30 million summer transfer to Arsenal.
With only eight goals surrendered and six clean sheets kept since making his debut for Arsenal this season, with only one loss (against Liverpool) to show for it, this rating may appear to be a bit harsh.
While Spurs’ performance in the North London derby was spectacular, Ramsdale also shone in a scoreless draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, making many superb saves despite Arsenal being virtually second best in the game, to cement his position as the club’s number one ahead of Bernd Leno.
With several saves against Leicester City and Aston Villa, the England international has demonstrated that he is not lacking in self-confidence or leadership abilities.
1. Edouard Mendy – Chelsea
Chelsea have the greatest defensive record in the Premier League, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
After a fantastic first season in which he kept clean sheets in every round as Chelsea won the Champions League, the Senegalese shot-stopper has continued to shine with Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Mendy’s personal narrative of nearly abandoning the professional game in his mid-20s to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world is inspiring, and his talent is undeniable.
Mendy has put in numerous strong performances to guarantee clean sheet victories over Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace.
He is the most in-form goalkeeper in the Premier League right now.
Disagree with us? Let us know your top 10 best EPL goalkeepers 2021 in the comment section.
The post Top 10 best EPL goalkeepers 2021 appeared first on Football Audit.
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By: Emmanuel Dominic
Title: Top 10 best EPL goalkeepers 2021
Sourced From: www.footballaudit.com/top-10-best-epl-goalkeepers-2021/
Published Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2021 23:46:27 +0000
