The best goalkeepers in the Premier League ranked (2026/27)

Being a goalkeeper may be the trickiest position on a football pitch, but in the Premier League, there’s nowhere to hide.

Whether you’re gunning for the title or hoping to stay up by the skin of your teeth, a top shot-stopper can make all the difference come the end of the season.

This year has once again highlighted the best and worst of those between the sticks, with Manchester City’s move for Gianluigi Donnarumma proving to be an eye-catching transfer as he fought hard against David Raya for the title of the division’s best gloveman.

Ranking factors

To help place every No 1 in the correct order from best to worst, we have considered the following criteria:

• Current form – how well they have played over the last few months
• Club – whether their performances meet the required standards of their team
• Reliability – how trusted they can be to avoid errors
• Overperformance – whether they can make saves they would not be expected to

Here’s a look at the very best in all of their glory…

10

James Trafford

Manchester City

Poor old James Trafford, eh? The England stopper re-signed for City from Burnley in the summer of 2025 and it looked as though he was going to realise his dreams of becoming their number one. Yet, within weeks, they had signed a man lower down this list, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Still, he is very much still one of the best stoppers in the division with a move away beckoning in the summer of 2026. He was England’s third choice keeper at the World Cup and is expected to take over from Jordan Pickford in the years to come.

9

Bernd Leno

Fulham

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Bernd Leno’s move from Arsenal to Fulham was a sign of a goalkeeper in decline, but the German has more than played his part in a Cottagers side that have become an established Premier League side.

At just £8m, it has provem to be a shrewd piece of business.

8

Robin Roefs

Sunderland

Robin Roefs cost Sunderland around £9m following their return to the Premier League, and after replacing Anthony Patterson as first choice at the Stadium of Light, had an excellent debut year in England.

Should he continue his form, the 22-year-old’s value will only increase, and he could have a big part to play in the Black Cats’ first European campaign since the 1970s.

7

Dean Henderson

Crystal Palace

Dean Henderson is by no means the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, but he has finally found a home at Crystal Palace, where he is now flourishing following his exit from Manchester United.

Henderson has marshalled a relatively tight defence and helped the Eagles win the FA Cup and Community Shield.

6

Senne Lammens

Manchester United

After the catastrophic Andre Onana era, Man United desperately needed a new goalkeeper but they did not exactly turn to a familiar face over the summer, bringing in Belgian stopper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

While it took the gloveman a few months to get up to speed, he is now firmly establishing himself as one of the best in the division, notably hailed as “one of the best in the world” by BBC Sport’s Umir Irfan.

5

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa

A Yashin Trophy winner, it’s difficult to criticise Emiliano Martinez too much, as for all of his wind-up antics and dodgy dancing, the Argentinian has continued to be a useful blockade in front of the Aston Villa goal.

Now highly experienced following his exploits on the international stage and in the Champions League, Martinez has matured – loosely speaking – into one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

4

Jordan Pickford

Everton

Jordan Pickford has been Everton and England’s number one for some time now, and he has continued to shine following David Moyes’ return to Merseyside.

His highlights last season included shutouts against Arsenal and Chelsea, while his status as the undisputed Three Lions No 1 has to count for something.

3

Alisson

Liverpool

Liverpool gave very little away in their 24/25 title-winning season, and only Arsenal conceded fewer than the Reds.

While stand-in Caoimhin Kelleher was impressive for Arne Slot’s side, there’s no doubting the class of No 1 Alisson in goal. One imagines Liverpool wouldn’t have been quite so comfortable at the top without the security provided by the Brazilian.

He continues to play an important part during Arne Slot’s second and final season at Anfield and will remain a vital player for Andoni Iraola in 2026/27.

2

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Man City

One of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League right now is new Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Despite signing James Trafford from Burnley, Pep Guardiola and Co then acted to bring in the Italy number one from PSG after helping them win the Champions League.

Donnarumma was also awarded the Yashin Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or and instantly starred in the Premier League.

1

David Raya

Arsenal

David Raya has arguably been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players in recent seasons. The Spaniard totally vindicated Mikel Arteta’s decision to install him as the Gunners No 1 in 2023/24, and has continued to shine in goal at the Emirates Stadium, excelling at the top level.

Having won the Golden Glove award for the most cleansheets in the division three seasons in a row, he is the undisputed best goalkeeper in the English top-flight.