Who was the best goalkeeper in EPL (English Premier League) history? It’s a debate that will ignite passions: the giants between the sticks have saved games, won trophies, and broken records. In this article, AtiGoal will walk you through the evidence, statistics, legends, and arguments — then pick who really stands at the top.
What makes a goalkeeper “the best”
Before naming names, we need the criteria. Here are the key factors that define greatness in goalkeeping, especially in the demanding environment of the Premier League:
- Clean sheets: The more shutouts you have over your career, especially, the more consistent you’ve been.
- Longevity: Staying at high level for many seasons, through changes in pace, tactics, and pressure.
- Big moments / trophies: Titles, saves in huge games (cup finals, title deciders), and influence in big moments.
- Individual awards & records: Golden Gloves, records like most clean sheets, longest run without conceding, etc.
- Overall impact & leadership: How commanding you are in the box, your ability to organize defense, your presence psychologically.
Top contenders in Premier League history
Here are the goalkeepers most often brought up when arguing who was the best goalkeeper in EPL — legends whose names are almost always on the shortlist.
- Petr Čech
- Most career clean sheets in the Premier League: 202. He holds the all-time clean-sheet record.
- Holds the record for most clean sheets in a single Premier League season: 24 in 2004-05.
- Multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and strong reputation for consistency and big-game performance.
- Peter Schmeichel
- Known for his dominance with Manchester United in the mid-1990s. His presence, reflexes, leadership made a huge difference.
- Titles include several Premier Leagues, Champions League; legendary matches where Schmeichel saved United’s bacon.
- Edwin van der Sar
- Superb longevity and calm under pressure, especially later in his career at Manchester United.
- Notable record: in 2008-09, he went 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal.
- David Seaman
- Long time England first-choice keeper, staple at Arsenal during their strong years.
- Clean sheets, leadership, clutch saves.
- David de Gea
- A moderna standout for Manchester United; breathtaking reflexes, many “match saving” moments.
- Won Golden Gloves, racked up many clean sheets.
- Alisson Becker
- Among current/very recent keepers, widely regarded as world-class.
- Impact at Liverpool, helping in both defense and distribution; strong in big games.
Statistical snapshot: clean sheets & records
To help settle things withbers, here are some key statistics:
- Petr Čech tops the all-time clean sheet chart (202 clean sheets).
- Players with 100+ Premier League clean sheets include Čech, David James, Mark Schwarzer, David de Gea, David Seaman, Nigel Martyn, Pepe Reina, Edwin van der Sar, Brad Friedel, Hugo Lloris, among others.
- Longest unbeaten run without conceding in Premier League history: van der Sar’s 1,311 minutes.
Who is the best — AtiGoal’s verdict
After comparing criteria, stats, trophies, legacy, and influence, Petr Čech edges ahead of the rest to take the title of best goalkee.
Why Čech?
- He leads in the most objective (and arguably most important) stat: total clean sheets in the Premier League.
- His single-season clean sheet record is still unmatched.
- He has had immense influence: when Čech was at his best, his teams relied on him not just to make saves, but to prevent game-turning moments.
- He combined athleticism, intelligence, leadership, and consistency across different eras of the league.
Of course, every fan has their favorite, and people will make strong cases for Schmeichel, Van der Sar, De Gea, or even Alisson depending on what style or moment they value more. But overall, Čech’s stats + legacy + peak give him the edge.
What about current keepers
Even though the article asks who was the best, it’s worth noting how current goalkeepers measure up:
- Clean sheets in recent season (2024-25): Arsenal’s David Raya and Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels share the Golden Glove with 13 clean sheets each.
- Keepers like Alisson and Ederson continue to pull up strong numbers in modern EPL: performance under pressure, distribution, sweeper-kee.
Arguments against Čech — and why they hold
To be fair, here are some counterpoints and how they stack:
- Era differences: The game has changed. Speed, attacking styles, quality of forwards, rules about back-passes etc. Somepers played when defenders were more physical or less technically skilled; others face more shots.
- Team dependency: Clean sheets also depend heavily on defense. A superb backline makes the keeper’s life easier. Critics point out vice versa: a kee.
- Modern requirements: Today’s best keepers are judged not just by saves, but ball control, playing out, Čech adapted when needed, and his numbers hold strong across all these factors.
Other names people might pick
If Čech doesn’t convince everyone, some models/arguments would favour:
- Peter Schmeichel, especially for his dominance, leadership, and match-winning saves in crucial games (e.g. United’s success in ’90s)
- Edwin van der Sar, for his calmness and longevity, especially in his later years.
- David de Gea, for reflexes and long period being world class.
- Alisson Becker, for modern style, contribution to overall play, big moments (Champions League, etc.)
Conclusion
Who was the best goalkeeper in EPL? While opinions will always differ, the overwhelming data and legacy point to Petr Čech as the top dog. His records, consistency, peak performances, and influence put him just above the rest.
If you’re a fan, check out Čech’s clean sheet milestone, rewatch his incredible saves, and compare: does your favorite keeper match those standards? AtiGoal encourages you to dive into the stats, watch highlight reels, and decide for yourself — but no matter who you root for, these legends shaped the league.
If you liked this analysis, stay with AtiGoal for more: player biographies, surprising statistics, match breakdowns — and tell us who you think was best.
