Premier League’s No. 1: Who truly deserves the crown between the posts?

Last Updated on 21 November 2025

In an era where goalkeepers are expected to be sweepers, playmakers and shot-stoppers all at once, the Premier League has never been richer with elite talent between the posts.

But among the division’s standout names this season, who truly deserves to be called the Premier League’s best goalkeeper?

Here are the five best goalkeepers, rating the likes of Alisson, David Raya, and check to see whether Emiliano Martinez makes the list or not.

5 – Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)

Sneaking in ahead of the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Nick Pope, Matz Sels definitely deserves to be on this list.

Now, he may have had a rough start to the 2025/26 campaign but that has got a lot more to do with the entire club being in disarray than his performances.

Forest are on to their third manager of the season already and understandably, that has had some impact on the defensive side of things.

Still, his performances over the course of the 2024/25 season that earned him the Golden Glove mean that he’s got enough credit in the bank. Now, with Sean Dyche taking over from Ange Postecoglou, Sels will hope to put a string of cleansheets together.

4 – Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)

Now, fourth might be too low for a goalkeeper of Donnarumma’s quality, however, he still has to prove his class in the Premier League.

That said, his career at the Etihad Stadium is already off to a flier. He kept a cleansheet against the champions, Liverpool, and has made some unbelievable saves already.

At the same time, there are a few bedding in issues visible as Donnarumma makes himself at home in Manchester. After a rather resilient defensive performance, the Italian must take some blame for Gabriel Martinelli’s equalizer at the Emirates Stadium.

Still, if he keeps his performances up, there is no reason why he can’t move into the top three by the end of the campaign.

3 – Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Undeniably, one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League, Pickford is a heaven sent for Everton.

England’s undisputed no.1, Pickford will take some dethroning ahead of the World Cup 2026. The 31-year-old has been Everton’s best player by a countrymile over the last few turbulent years.

His shot-stopping is second to probably only Alisson Becker but that, in itself, is a huge compliment. Pickford is also very vocal, has a great command of his box and is a leader between the sticks.

2 – Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

All things considered, Alisson Becker should comfortably be the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. He was often put in debates alongside Ederson for the best goalie in the league but they were very different type of players.

No one can rival Ederson’s on-ball qualities, but Alisson is no mug on the ball, either. But as far as shot-stopping is concerned, maybe only Thibaut Courtois is better than the Brazilian. In fact, he also is a threat from corners…

So, the question is, why isn’t Alisson the best goalkeeper in the Premier League?

Well, the answer to that is availability. Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, they have the most injury-prone goalkeeper in the world. If not for that, Alisson would be head and shoulders above anyone in the league, at least.

1 – David Raya (Arsenal)

It really is impossible to argue against David Raya or Arsenal, in general, when it comes to defensive solidity. They are, by far, the best team in the league defensively and while Raya does not have much to do, he still makes the saves needed.

At the same time, Raya is the perfect system player for Mikel Arteta’s side. He brings a sense of calm when they build from the back and he’s spectacular in claiming crosses and corners.

As per the Premier League, he already has 7 cleansheets in the 2025/26 campaign and we are only 11 matches into the season.