The Premier League has a cluster of world-class keepers. Modern shot-stoppers like Alisson, Ederson, Hugo Lloris or David De Gea are not only good with their hands but also with their feet. More importantly, they have turned into long servants for their club under their sticks. Some established their respective club's status in the league. The goalkeeping position is always regarded as 'unforgivable'. However, these men have shown the world how this challenging job produced the best out of them.
We look back at five such great glove holders of the Premier League. Surely, they have all retired but their legacy will be hard for the aforementioned names to repeat.
David James:
Once record clean sheet holder, David James became an in-demand keeper in the league during his time. He became the first-ever goalkeeper for Liverpool in the Premier League. With the Anfield based club, he made over 200 appearances. Although he was known for his mistakes, his excellence in shot-stopping rectified his reputation. After all, he was a reliable goaltender. James went on to play for Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City before ending his stay in the league with Portsmouth. He contributed immensely wherever he went.
Edwin van der Sar:
Manchester United have produced some great keepers over the years. Edwin Van der Sar was one of them. A recognizable name at Old Trafford, Van der Sar was a keeper of brilliance. After flaring with Fulham in over 100 appearances, the retired Dutchman joined United in 2005. He spent over 10 years in the Premier League. Van der Sar landed major honors for Manchester United including four Premier League titles. Sir Alex Ferguson (Check here: Alex Ferguson Best Signings) described him to be the best goalkeeper he had since the acoustic Danish keeper we will mention later in the list.
Also Read | Best Penalty takers in Premier League
David Seaman:
Regarded as one of the best English goalkeepers in the Premier League, David Seaman was a man mountain for Arsenal in between the sticks. He was equally excellent with the England national team. Making over 300 appearances for the club, Seaman guarded the fort in Arsenal's triumph in the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998. He won two more league championships with the Gunners. Seaman indeed got the support of a class backline during his stay at Arsenal but it won't degrade his spectacular showing in between the sticks.
Petr Cech:
The Czech Republic legend who broke the clean sheet record in the Premier League. The goalkeeper who almost lost his life on the pitch went on to become one of the best in his role. Petr Cech became famous not only in the Premier League but also globally. The man with the helmet had the highs of his career with Chelsea. He guarded the Blues net in a mammoth number of 333 games, landing several Premier League trophies and a Champions League. Cech also made over 100 appearances for arch-rivals Arsenal before returning to Stamford Bridge as a player/technical advisor role. He's truly one of the greats.
Also Read | Petr Cech: A Legend Born And Bred In London
Peter Schmeichel:
Manchester United's best and for the Premier League too, Peter Schmeichel was head and shoulders above many. Schmeichel created an enormous legacy with the Red Devils in their time of untouchable supremacy in the league. The Danish keeper played over 292 games for the English giants, honoring himself with several league titles and the famous 1999 treble. Schmeichel's tenacity and fiery nature as a number one helped him put up incredible performances over the entirety of his career. No one could have ever matched his personality in becoming an impenetrable figure in between the sticks. He is simply the best the competition had ever sustained.
