Best Premier League Goalkeepers of all Time: Top 10 Ranked

Goalkeepers are as important as any other position in football; goals decide the results; however, it's the saves that determine the outcome of the game. And in the English Premier League hailed as one of the best football leagues in the world. We have witnessed numerous best goalkeepers in the world, displaying their skills in goal. This league has produced some of the best Premier League goalkeepers of all time, throughout 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 defence of the teams. From making match-defining saves to helping the progress of a game, from playing as a passing maestro to serving as a hero during penalty shootouts, the best Premier League keepers have achieved everything in their lives to go down as folkloric heroes to the current crop of fancy stoppers.

List of Best Goalkeepers in Premier League History

Check out the curated list of the top ten greatest Premier League goalkeepers. The list consists of icons like Petr Cech to David Seaman, from the hero of Anfield, Alisson Becker, to Manchester City’s Ederson. We have several modern-day stars from the list of the best Premier League goalkeepers currently.

Best Premier League Goalkeepers of all Time: Ranking Factors

Now, after going through the list of best keepers in the English top flight, let's go through the ranking criteria we have ensured to form the list.

• Total Clean Sheets: The first criterion is total clean sheets. It is the most basic function of a goalkeeper is to deny the opposition from scoring a goal.
• Premier League Trophies: The next ranking factor is the number of Premier League trophies these goalkeepers have won during their spell in England's top flight.
• Impact on the Team: Goalkeepers are quite influential, hence their impact is always a key factor when deciding the rankings.
• Individual Honours: Now at last are the individual honours, the Man of the match awards, golden gloves and such individual accolades are viewed as well.

Who is the Best Goalkeeper in Premier League History?

Let's take a look at the top goalkeepers to play in the Premier League and make a name for themselves in one of the most-watched football leagues in the world.

10. Brad Friedel (USA | 1997-2015)

The American goalkeeper Brad Friedel was a testament to his longevity and consistency in the Premier League, making him one of the oldest active players in the world during his time in the EPL. He served as a warrior for nearly two decades under the crossbar of Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool. Though he could not win the league title, but his legacy has been unprecedented.

Friedel's flexibility and long hands made him a reliable figure in the English top division, even when he was nearing his career at Tottenham. He amassed a staggering 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 best goalkeepers in Premier League history.

9. Shay Given (Ireland | 1994-2017)

Arguably, the most legendary stopper for Newcastle United is the Irishman Séamus John James Given, famously known as Shay Given. He has spent a prolonged stint in the Premier League, making a stunning 451 appearances and highlighted his true worth in goal. The keeper had managed 116 clean sheets for clubs like Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Stoke City.

However, the highlight of his club career remains the 12 years Given spent at St James Park wearing the Black and white shirts. With the Magpies, he made an impressive 344 appearances, before trying his luck with Manchester City and Aston Villa, respectively. The Irish icon had represented himself during his playing time; he was already in the fray of the best goalkeeper in Premier League history.

8. Joe Hart (England | 2006-2018)

The English keeper Joe Hart is considered one of the best Man City transfers of all time. He saw the rise of Manchester City in the EPL and lived in it. The former Manchester City and West Ham showstopper, who wore gloves in English football in more than 300 matches. Hart is a two-time EPL champion as well after 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 with his clutch performances and consistent performances in goal. In the 2011-12 season, he won the Golden Glove award after keeping 18 clean sheets and leading the Sky Blues to their first EPL success. He rose from non-league football to the peak of the English football pyramid.

7. David de Gea (Spain | 2011-2023)

A young Spanish goalkeeper named 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. Nonetheless, he delivered big time in between the sticks. De Gea made sure that he ended up as one of the best Manchester United goalkeepers in history, with 415 appearances for the Red Devils over a decade.

Before leaving Old Trafford in 2023, the Spaniard shot stopper had broken multiple records of the English top division, such as Peter Schmeichel’s record for most clean sheets in a year for Manchester United, by claiming 18 clean sheets. The ex-Man United keeper won two EPL Golden Glove accolades and also became the first player to win three consecutive Player of the Year awards at United.

6. Alisson Becker (Brazil | 2018-Present)

Next up is Liverpool star shot stopper, who is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Alisson Becker. The journey of Alisson Becker from being the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in 2018. He has cemented himself as the best goalkeeper in Premier League history, inspiring all young players who wish to wear gloves one day. So far, he has racked up over 250 appearances and 106 clean sheets in total for the Reds.

In his debut 2018-19 season, Alisson Becker 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. He has already won almost every major title with Liverpool and is touching new heights, including the 2025 league success as well.

5. Ederson (Brazil | 2017-2025)

We have another Brazilian keeper Ederson, on the list, who was at the peak of his powers during his time at Manchester City. He has established himself as one of the finest shot stoppers to grace the English top flight. The 32-year-old left the Premier League in 2025 summer to join the Turkish giants Fenerbache, ending a highly successful tenure in England, winning six Premier League trophies.

If anyone asks you why he is regarded as a legend at such a young age, show him the performance highlights of Ederson from the Premier League. From being selected in the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad for Brazil, the City stopper uniquely revolutionised his ability and style in goal. His brilliance and ball-throwing skills, combined with offensive and defensive awareness, have made him one of the finest keepers.

4. Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands | 2001-2011)

Regarded as one of the greatest Dutch players of all time, Edwin van der Sar is the second most glorified figure between the sticks for Manchester United. The Dutch icon has solidified his place as one of the best Premier League goalkeepers of all time, wearing gloves for Fulham and Manchester United, respectively, amassing 313 appearances and 196 clean sheets.

He claimed four consecutive Premier League titles under his belt with the Red Devils and Sir Alex Ferguson. 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 significant role, serving as a lone warrior in between the posts.

3. David Seaman (England | 1992-2004)

The Yorkshire shot stopper David Seaman is enormously popular for his calmness, composure and leadership qualities. He was a commanding figure in Arsenal's backline, who emerged as one of the finest Premier League goalkeepers at Arsenal. Seaman is hailed as one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time for his longevity and the success he brought to the Gunners.

The English goalkeeper is a three-time English top-flight winner, and was one of the most influential figures in the title-winning campaigns in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Premier League, English FA Cup, English Cup, you name it, Seaman has won everything wth Arsenal. Very few goalkeepers have been as consistent as David Seaman in the Premier League.

2. Petr Cech (Czech Republic | 2004-2015)

Some still consider Petr Cech at the top of the list of best goalkeepers in Premier League history. The goalkeeper from the Czech Republic has the most clean sheets in the Premier League record to his name, 201. Not only that, Petr recorded the most clean sheets (24) in a season during the 2004-05 campaign with Chelsea. He is viewed as one of the best Chelsea players of all time for his feats with the Blues.

Records, titles, season-defining saves and several clean sheets will tell you why Petr Cech is one of the greatest Premier League goalkeepers of all time. The Chelsea icon has been pivotal in the Blues’ amazing success in the 2000s. His tall physique, quick reflex, agility and quick-thinking ability made them one of the most prized assets of the English top flight. He played for two of the biggest London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea.

1. Peter Schmeichel (Denmark | 1991-1999)

Now we have the greatest EPL keeper ever, Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel tops the list for being the best Premier League goalkeeper in history. The Danish keeper earned more than 300 appearances in the Premier League with clubs like Manchester United, Aston Villa and Manchester City. He spent most of his tenure with the Red Devils and managed to win the Premier League five times

The former Manchester United captain stood at the pinnacle of his career in an unparalleled and unrivalled manner, such was his stature once. Schmeichel's 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.