Every Premier League Number 1: Ranked

Coming at you with another post, today I think it's time to rank Premier League Number 1s (the starting goalkeeper, not the actual person with the shirt number). I have previously played as a keeper and I am one of those people who thinks that having a top-class goalkeeper is more important than having a brilliant outfield player. If you guys like this it could potentially turn into my very first series, where I could look at center-backs, full backs and wingbacks, defensive midfielders, attacking midfielders, wingers and strikers, but that is up to you guys. Anyway, without further ado, let's head into the list.

20: Alex McCarthy

There are no bad goalkeepers in this list, but Alex McCarthy is in my opinion the most mediocre of the mediocre ones. He does not have the excuse of being young or old, 31 being pretty much the average goalkeeper's prime, and while he is not prone to accidents he is still fairly limited. He has survived the 9-0 with his place intact, unlike his predecessor Angus Gunn, but shipping 9 goals, some of which should have been saved, is really irredeemable.  

19: Aaron Ramsdale 

I could have put Ramsdale higher due to his potential, or rock bottom due to his rawness. In the end I went closer to the latter, because I am ranking people based on current ability. Age will be taken into account, but it will not be a deciding factor. I think if Ramsdale were more consistent he would rank higher, and out of the bottom five I think he is the most capable of brilliant and athletic saves. If he doesn't get too demoralized by Sheffield's abysmal season I think he could continue to grow and develop into a brilliant player.

18: Robert Sánchez 

Why Mat Ryan was dropped and exiled is beyond me. Did he accidently back over Graham Potter's cat? Whatever the case, he has been replaced by one Robert Sánchez. While Sánchez has been fairly dependable and mature, he has still not proven why he is favored over Ryan. Whatever the case, Sánchez has still played pretty well and I feel that 18 is harsh but accurate.

17: Sam Johnstone 

Again, this feels a bit cruel. Johnstone has been excellent this season and he is kind of like the goalkeeper version of a diligent midfielder workhorse, kind of like a James Milner. He will never be brilliant or do anything spectacular but he will work hard and make very few mistakes. However, he does not have those moments of brilliance that you need to be a top, top goalkeeper. Maybe a good signing for Southampton?

16: Rui Patrício 

Portugal has never had the strongest goalkeepers, and this has resulted in Patrício's 70 caps. He has always been dependable without being spectacular since signing for Wolverhampton Clube de Portugal and his inclusion at 16 means that only Ramsdale out of the bottom 5 inclusions is not dependable but unspectacular.

15: Alphonse Areola 

Yes, I think Alphonse Areola is overrated. No, I do not think this means he is a bad keeper. However I do think that his high praises come from him being contracted to PSG and, like Johnstone, people thinking he was the "shining light" in this years Fulham team. People also seem to think he is a young player, even though he is already 28 and heading into his prime. In goalkeeper terms he is pretty good. Fairly dependable and, unlike most before him, can pull one or two world-class saves out the hat.

14: Bernd Leno 

Does no-one else think Leno is criminally overrated. Yes, he is capable of the spectacular, but he is on Kepa's level when it comes to making huge mistakes. One really recent example: Leno was pretty good for most of Arsenal's recent meeting with Everton, but then in the 76th minute Richarlison attempts to cross right across goal and an easy block for Leno turns into disaster as he misses it, get's nutmegged and then backheels it into his own net. I would have put him lower if it wasn't for me not wanting angry comments. Worse, in my opinion, than his two most recent back-ups: Ryan and especially Martínez.

13: Vincente Guaita 

Moving up to a slightly higher caliber of players, Guaita could have been anywhere from 13 to 8. I think that he is one of the top three most important players at Palace, but finally went for 13 because I think he is either less dependable or less capable of brilliance than everyone else in this list.

12: Illan Meslier 

I really think that Meslier can not only become is star in the future, but is already a star now. The young Frenchman shows extreme maturity and athleticism between the sticks and, like Guaita, could have placed anywhere up to eight. I would argue that he is one of the top three most promising young keepers in the world and hope he has a brilliant career ahead of him.

11: Jordan Pickford 

While I try not to be biased, there was no way I could place Pickford in the top ten. I could live with him playing for Everton. Even continuing to rob Nick Pope of a spot between the sticks for England is bearable. But when you blatantly injure another club's most important player, do not expect mercy. Anyway, Pickford is good with the ball at his feet and generally ok at goalkeeping even if he is as accident-prone as the toilet paper in public bathrooms.

10: Łukasz Fabiański 

I really like Łukasz Fabiański, and I think he still does not receive the credit he deserves at West Ham. While people are celebrating Bowen, Antonio, Lingard, Creswell, Soucek, Rice, Coufal, etc., yet this dominance would not be possible without a reliable and spectacular figure between the sticks. He does occasionally mess up, but makes up for it with many world-class saves.

9: Martin Dúbravka 

You could make a good case for Dúbravka being the best player at Newcastle, and the Slovak has, often singlehandedly, kept Newcastle in games, and Newcastle would certainly not be so ready to press upfield and counterattack if it weren't for the dependable set of hands guarding the goal.

8: Emiliano Martínez 

I have no idea why Arsenal didn't dump Leno instead of Martínez, because the Aston Villa number 1 has been up their with Jack Grealish, competing for Player of the Season. After proving his worth last season when Leno was out injured, I think Martínez does not only deserve to start week-in week-out in the Prem but also deserves to start for Argentina in this year's Copa America. 

7: Edouard Mendy 

Since the departure of Petr Cech Chelsea have struggled to find a dependable keeper. Edouard Mendy's arrival from Rennes has provided relief and he has only improved with the arrival of Thomas Tuchel. The Senegalese International comes out in 7th.

6: David de Gea 

There was a period where de Gea was considered the best keeper in the world, but right now he often doesn't even rank among the top five in the Premier League. He is also not consistently playing for Spain and it is arguable whether he even deserves to go to the Euros. At his best he is spectacular but he has not reached the heights we know he can during the entirety of the last two or three seasons.

5: Hugo Lloris 

Opinions on Lloris' ability is very different from person to person, I tend to think that he is genuinely world-class. Not only is he a brilliant goalkeeper, but a captain and leader who recently led France to World Cup glory. He is a good all-round goalkeeper and deservedly comes in the top quarter.

4: Nick Pope 

While Pope doesn't quite fit England's style, he is still most people's pick for Graham Southgate's number 1 spot. Burnley's best player, Pope is an old-fashioned keeper, and while he won't be getting assists like Alisson or Ederson he will not let the ball into his net. He is the keeper England have needed for generations now and I really enjoy watching him play.

3: Kasper Scmeichel 

Expectations are always high when you are the son of a Manchester United legend, but Kasper Schmeichel, despite a rocky beginning to his career, has gone on to be one of the best keepers in the Premier League, just like his father. He has surely earned a statue outside the King Power Stadium, and only has to win the Champions League to have all the same trophies as his father after winning the FA Cup yesterday.

2: Ederson 

This man must really hate Alisson. He has to settle for Brazil's second choice position, and is generally considered the second-best keeper in the Prem. One of the top 4 keepers in the world along with Alisson, Neuer and Oblak, Ederson takes second.

1: Alisson 

I think we all knew it was coming. Alisson is simply breathtaking to watch. He is probably second-best to Ederson when it comes to distribution, but other than that he is the best at everything. He can save a penalty. He can sprint out of his box to intercept a long ball over his defense. He can skill you so hard your legs break. And what's more, he makes it look easy which is no simple feat.

Hope everyone enjoyed! Should I make more of these with different positions? Or is there anything else you'd like to see. Let me know below in the comments and remember to share my blog with anyone who might enjoy it. Hope you have a good day and I'll see you next time I post. Noah ┗(▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿)┓