Copyright GIVEMESPORT
The importance of a goalkeeper – especially in the Premier League, a division which boasts some top-tier goalscorers – cannot be understated. Much is made of the aforementioned centre-forwards, the ground-eating midfielders and defenders who defend like everything is on the line, but those between the sticks are equally influential. From standalone icon Petr Cech to goalkeeping maverick Peter Schmeichel, England's top flight has been blessed with a litany of top talent over the years – and although some may suggest there's been a drop-off over the years, there are still plenty of decent shot stoppers plying their trade in the hardest division in world football. But how have they all performed since the 2025/26 campaign got underway in August? Thanks to FotMob – who have categorised every goalkeeper, all of whom have played more than five matches in the Premier League this season, by the number of goals they've prevented – we can take a closer look at the worst and best performers. 23. Caoimhin Kelleher, Brentford – -3.90 After falling down the pecking order at Liverpool, the Reds' experienced second-string option –ousted upon the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili – moved to Brentford on a permanent deal in the summer of 2025. The Bees have been navigating the season in their post-Thomas Frank era and the Cork-born shotstopper has been the worst-performing goalkeeper in England's top flight, as evidenced by his -3.90. 22. Karl Darlow, Leeds United – -2.70 Daniel Farke's Leeds United have taken to the Premier League with a point to prove, as they – like Burnley and Sunderland – are wanting to keep hold of their status as a team in the top flight. Having 35-year-old Karl Darlow, who has also turned out for Newcastle United during his career, will not do their pursuit any justice given the struggling Welshman has let in 2.70 more goals than expected. 21. Giorgi Mamardashvili, Liverpool – -2.40 Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed by Arne Slot's defending champions with the prospect of him standing in for Alisson Becker on the odd occasion – but the Brazilian's injury issues have seen them rely on the Georgian in the recent weeks of the 2025/26 campaign. Viewed as the eventual goalkeeper on the red half of Merseyside, the statistics suggest his Anfield career hasn't started all too positively. 20. Sam Johnstone, Wolverhampton Wanderers – -2.10 Conceding 2.10 goals more than the statistics expected him to is Sam Johnstone, who is currently Vitor Pereira's first-string goalkeeper at Wolverhampton Wanderers. At the time of writing, the Old Gold are rock bottom of the division and have conceded five more goals (25) than any other team. Johnstone's experience, however, could help them turn their fortunes around. 19. Alphonse Areola, West Ham United – -1.70 Once on the books of Paris Saint-Germain, Alphonse Areola may be a one-time World Cup winner with France – but it's not unfair to say that West Ham United could do a hell of a lot better in the goalkeeping department. The 32-year-old isn't the sexiest name in the Premier League and the numbers, since the start of the season, suggest that he has conceded 1.70 more goals than forecasted. 18. Djordje Petrovic, Bournemouth – -1.60 Senior minutes were looking unlikely for Djordje Petrovic at Stamford Bridge and so a move to Bournemouth, who were looking for a new starting goalkeeper, beckoned. The future looks very bright for the lofty Serb – and he's often been lauded for his performances between the sticks on the south coast. The statistics, though, showcase that he's underperformed by conceding 1.60 more strikes than he should have. 17. Bernd Leno, Fulham – -1.20 A VfB Stuttgart academy graduate, Bernd Leno has made a name for himself as a respected goalkeeper in England's top flight – first for Arsenal and now for Fulham. He joined the Cottagers in 2022 and has been their first-choice since and, since the current term got underway, the German glovesman has underperformed by his own standard. 16. Robert Sanchez, Chelsea – -0.90 Despite spending north of £1 billion on new recruits during Todd Boehly's ownership, it's crazy to think that Robert Sanchez – a three-cap Spain international – is still operating between the sticks for the Stamford Bridge faithful. That's despite Blues boss Enzo Maresca and his entourage have such a bloated squad. The 27-year-old is the 16th best-performing goalkeeper in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. 15. Altay Bayindir, Manchester United – -0.80 The majority of Altay Bayindir's minutes this season came before Senne Lammens asserted himself as the number-one option under Ruben Amorim. The Turk, signed from Fenerbahce and regarded as one of the best back-up goalkeepers in world football, has since been restricted to warming the bench – and that's largely down to his poor record. 14. Matz Sels, Nottingham Forest – -0.80 Matz Sels was fairly unknown when plying his trade in France for Strasbourg – but a move, in February 2024, to Nottingham Forest has seen him propel his name into contention of being one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Last season, his inbetween-the-sticks exploits helped his side secure European football – but he's been less impressive this term, letting in 0.80 more goals than expected. 13. Martin Dubravka, Burnley – -0.60 Martin Dubravka has bounced around a number of English clubs in yesteryear – including a short, yet not very sweet, spell with Manchester United – but he is now earning his corn at Turf Moor as Scott Parker's first-choice between the sticks. Experienced at international level, the 36-year-old is the 13th best-performing goalkeeper so far. 12. Alisson Becker, Liverpool – -0.50 Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, there haven't been many safer hands on the planet than Liverpool's Alisson Becker since he moved to Anfield from AS Roma in the summer of 2018. He's won all there is to win at club level, including the Premier League twice, but the 33-year-old has not been performing to the best of the ability since August's opening round of fixtures. 11. David Raya, Arsenal – -0.40 David Raya is lucky enough to have a central defensive partnership as sturdy as William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in front of him – but the Spaniard is still one of the best in the business. So far in 2025/26, the ex-Brentford star has kept seven clean sheets in 11 Premier League outings; he's still conceded more goals than expected of one of the world's best, however, and that's highlighted by failing to prevent 0.40 strikes. GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: David Raya has become the first goalkeeper to keep 23 clean sheets in their first 50 Premier League appearances for Arsenal. 10. Bart Verbruggen, Brighton & Hove Albion – -0.20 Courted by a number of top English sides – including United and Chelsea – in the past, Bart Verbruggen has established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in the top division. It's easy to forget the Dutchman is still just 23 years of age given how seamlessly he's made the No.1 shirt his own at Brighton & Hove Albion. 9. Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa – -0.10 A move to Manchester United looked likely for the one-time World Cup winner over the summer – but the transfer broke down, and he remained at Villa Park. Emiliano Martinez, has won plenty of goalkeeping-based accolades over the years, but he's no longer at his best and that's despite the Argentine, 33, returning to his starting berth rather swiftly. 8. Lucas Perri, Leeds United – -0.10 Albeit less experienced on English shores in comparison to the aforementioned Darlow, Lucas Perri is – undoubtedly – the number one option for Farke's Leeds. So far, he's shared his minutes with the Wales international, but it's clear to see that he'll be the primary option for the Whites in years to come. Statistically, he's much better than his clubmate. 7. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manchester City – 0.70 Manchester City needed to get it right in the post-Ederson era given how talented the Brazilian was – and they've struck gold by signing one of the greatest goalkeepers in world football, Gianluigi Donnarumma. A seasoned Italian at the age of 26 years of age, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain stopper has been a positive changing of the guard for Pep Guardiola and Co. 6. Senne Lammens, Manchester United – 1.50 Andre Onana and the aforementioned Bayindir were not cutting it at Old Trafford and so United head coach Amorim opted to enter the summer market – Senne Lammens signed from Royal Antwerp for a lowly fee of £18.1 million and has been a revolutionary figure ever since. Now the first choice for the Red Devils, the towering Belgian has saved an extra 1.50 goals. 5. Nick Pope, Newcastle United – 1.50 Galvanised by the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale in the summer, Nick Pope is – from a statistical standpoint – back to his goalkeeping best. Unlikely to usurp Jordan Pickford from his spot under Thomas Tuchel, the 33-year-old's displays this season have thrust him onto the German tactician's radar for sure. That's because, while in goal for Newcastle United, he has prevented 1.50 goals from going beyond him. 4. Jordan Pickford, Everton – 1.70 Easily the Three Lions' starting goalkeeper by a country mile, there have been many to doubt Jordan Pickford's standing on the international stage – but, in truth, the Everton shot stopper has been the most influential figure on the blue half of Merseyside for years now. Now 31 years of age, he's ageing like a fine wine and that's showcased by saving 1.70 more goals than expected from the 80-cap England international. 3. Robin Roefs, Sunderland – 2.10 With staying in the Premier League on his mind, Sunderland chief Regis Le Bris took to the summer transfer market to sign a number of influential players – including the likes of Granit Xhaka and Lutsharel Geertruida. Robin Roefs has also been a more-than-impressive addition and his goals prevented tally of 2.10 is a testament to his goalkeeping brilliance. Roefs has been one of the signings of the summer. 2. Dean Henderson, Crystal Palace – 3.80 Dean Henderson, a Carrington alumnus, is now the go-to choice for Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace, who are the reigning champions of the FA Cup after beating Manchester City. Unfortunate to be battling with Pickford for a starting spot in the England set-up, the 28-year-old has been on tip-top form by preventing 3.80 goals for the south Londoners. 1. Guglielmo Vicario, Tottenham Hotspur – 4.40 The creme de la creme of Premier League goalkeepers from a statistical perspective, Guglielmo Vicario had big boots to fill when he joined Tottenham Hotspur to replace Hugo Lloris. All in all, the four-cap Italy international – signed from Udinese in 2023 – has operated the best of all goalkeepers in English's top flight. Since the start of the campaign in August, he's saved 4.40 more goals than expected of him.
