Goalkeepers are the last line of defence. They’re the unsung warriors of football who have to be agile, athletic and calm under pressure. What makes a great goalkeeper?
Let’s take a look at a few contenders for the top spot in 2019 and why they’re so well-suited to the job!
David de Gea – Manchester United & Spain
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At 28 years old
David de Gea is one of the rising stars of top-flight football. He started his career with Atletico Madrid where he promptly won the UEFA Europa League and Super Cup. His antics in goal won the approval of the decision makers at Manchester United who parted with £19 million in exchange for his goalkeeping skills.
Since then the lanky Spaniard has made more than 300 appearances for the Red Devils, helping them win the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Europa League. His wizardry in goal has earned him four Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards, three of which were back-to-back. De Gea, who keeps for the national side, is renowned for his astute decision-making, outstanding reflexes and composure in the air.
Petr Cech – Arsenal & Czech Republic
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Petr Cech may be heading towards the end of his career but his accomplishments are no less impressive. The incumbent goalie for Arsenal boasts the league record for the most clean sheets, a record that stands at 202.
After playing for a couple of local clubs, Cech joined French Ligue 1 side Rennes but was soon lured across the channel where he joined Chelsea. While keeping for The Blues Cech won a heap if silverware including four league titles, four FA Cups and one UEFA Champions and Europa League.
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The powerful Czech was snapped up by Arsenal for £10 million and aside from winning the FA Cup and two FA Community Shields for the North London club, he became the most capped player in the history of the Czech national team.
Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time, Cech is due to retire at the end of the season. What are his outstanding attributes in goal? His athleticism, excellent decision making and awesome reflexes are what’s propelled him to the top of his game!
Gianluigi Buffon – Saint Germain & Italy
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Gianluigi Buffon has won so many honours it’s difficult to know where to begin. The super-talented keeper had a successful run for Parma but really came into his own during a 17-year spell with Juventus, racking up nine Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia and five Supercoppa. His prowess on the international stage was just as impressive. With 176 international caps, Buffon is the most capped national player of all-time.
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He’s the first-ever goalie to win the Serie A Footballer of the Year and Golden Boot awards and the only keeper ever to be named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year. The Tuscan holds the record for the most clean sheets in Italy’s top flight, a feat that’s earned him the Serie A goalkeeper of the Year a record twelve times!
Pundits believe it’s his intuitive positional sense, composure and courage that make him one of the greatest goalies of all-time!
Kennedy Mweene – Mamelodi Sundowns & Zambia
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Kennedy Mweene may not be in the same league as our top three but he’s currently one of the best goalkeepers in Arica. Along with securing goal for South African PL club Mamelodi Sundowns, the 34-year-old is first choice goalie for the Zambia national team. Aside from his outstanding shot-stopping skills Mweene’s penalty conversion rate is pretty impressive.
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