Goalkeepers often don't receive the credit they deserve. In cricketing terms, they are the wicketkeepers of football.
Over the last few years, goalkeepers have become more important than ever. They are more than just a person protecting the goal. Today, they are often expected to be comfortable with the ball at their feet and build play from the back.
Below is a list of top five goalkeepers in world football right now on the basis of their recent performances.
5. Tomáš Vaclik (Sevilla)
Surprise surprise. Not a name many are familiar with or expected at number five but such has been the performances of Vaclik this season. Already awarded the LaLiga Santander Player of the Month in November, Vaclik has been one of the best signings of the summer.
He has the fifth-best save success rate in Europe's top five leagues this season. Sevilla is in the race for La Liga and it is largely down due to the heroics of the 29-year-old. If Sevilla is to mount a challenge for the league or the Europa League, it will be down to how Vaclik performs in goal. And so far the signs have been good.
4. Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan)
Just like wine, Handanovic gets better with age. At 34, he is better than ever. Inter boast the second-best defence in Serie A after Juventus, conceding only 14 goals in 19 games. And most of the credit goes to Handanovic.
Often known for his penalty-saving abilities, recent stats have shown that Handanovic is much more than that.
The Slovenian goalkeeper has the fourth best save success rate in Europe's top five leagues. As years pass by, who knows, instead of falling out of the list, Handanovic may climb up the rankings.
3. Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
The missing piece of the puzzle. Liverpool has finally signed a world-class showstopper in Alisson Becker. The transfer fee did raise a few eyebrows in the footballing world but Alisson has proven to be a success so far.
He isn't called into action as often as he was called in Roma but the Brazilian boasts the best save success rate in Europe. Liverpool sat pretty at the top of the league and it will be a sigh of relief for the Liverpool fans after the dark days of Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius.
2. Marc-André Ter Stegen (FC Barcelona)
Ter Stegen would have been disappointed to have been named on the bench during the World Cup after his fine form last season. But that hasn't hindered the German’s form since. Barcelona may have been shaky in defence earlier this season as they shipped in 19 goals in 13 games. But if it weren't for Ter Stegen, it could have been much worse.
Things have been better since then as Barcelona have kept four clean sheets in the last five league games. One of the best goalkeepers with the ball at his feet, he has been the best player for the Blaugrana after Lionel Messi, which says a lot. And it is only a matter of time before he becomes the first-choice goalkeeper for Germany.
1. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
