Analyzing the Top Goalkeepers of Recent Matches: Save Ratios and Brilliance
With the exception of a few glaringly obvious ones, this list will feature goalkeepers who have stood out in recent matches. It will be based on save ratios with xG per game taken into account.
Manchester City’s Ederson is a tough one to beat. The Brazilian’s performance during their tense Champions League shootout win against Barcelona epitomized his excellence.
- Tim Krul
He’s not as flashy as some of his counterparts but he is one of the most solid shot-stoppers in Europe. He came on for a penalty shootout and saved two penalties to help Chelsea win the Champions League in 2012.
Krul was excellent at times during Norwich’s relegation struggle last season, and he is back in top form with a goalless draw against Brighton. He made four saves against the Seagulls and will probably be in the starting XI for Luton next weekend.
Mike Maignan makes those otherworldly saves that everyone think is going in but somehow doesn’t. He kept 21 clean sheets as LOSC Lille won the Ligue 1 title and his distribution is excellent too. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now.
- Emi Martinez
Although he’s been prone to the odd mistake – which goalkeeper isn’t? – Liverpool’s No 1 has been an integral part of the club’s resurgence in recent years. He’s a great shot-stopper, but is also very good at starting attacks with passes out of the back.
He was a key player as the Colchoneros made deep runs in multiple UEFA Champions League campaigns over the last few seasons, winning three of those finals. He isn’t a flashy goalkeeper, instead preferring to read the play through and rarely guessing one way or another early on.
It’s hard to imagine that he’ll be on the same level as some of football’s greatest goalkeepers, but his consistency has led him to rise to prominence in a way few expected. He’s second in Europe for Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed and is excellent when one-on-one. He was a big factor in Argentina’s surprise World Cup win. He’s also been a top performer at club level, winning two FA Cups with Arsenal.
- Lukasz Fabianski
Lukasz Fabianski is one of the most complete goalkeepers in the world. The 6′ 7″ Belgian shut down some of the best strikers in Europe last season, ty so bong da hom nay including a pair of penalties from Lionel Messi, as he led Real Madrid to their 14th Champions League title.
He also put on a show for Poland at the 2021 FIFA World Cup, helping them to two shootout wins in the semifinals and final against Spain and England respectively.
Since leaving Arsenal, Leno has built a solid career at Fulham and helped them to 10th place in the Premier League. He is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde player, though, with both sensational highs and puzzling lows at times.
- Timo Krul
Despite a rough season last year, Krul still ranked among the top goalkeepers in the league and will likely make an impact for Luton this season. He’s got the experience to play every game and has shown that he can keep clean sheets while outperforming his xG.
He was a vital part of Barcelona’s title-winning campaign, and he continued to outperform his xG across all competitions this season. Despite his young age, the German has become a smarter, more commanding goalkeeper. He even stopped climate activists from gluing themselves to his goalposts during one of Germany’s recent international friendlies.
At the end of the day, Jan Oblak is a good shot stopper who does what’s required of him. He positions himself well, directs the always-solid Atleti defense and if something does get through he stops it. Those are the qualities of a great goalkeeper. He’s a bit unlucky to miss out on a higher spot due to Atleti’s stellar overall performance.
