Best Goalkeepers of Year 2019-20
Once, the legendary Spanish goalkeeper and Los Blancos shot-stopper, Iker Casillas gave his opinion regarding the role of the goalkeeper in the football. He compared the role of a goalkeeper in football to that of the description of friendship in “13 Reasons Why”. he opined;:
Being a good person is like goalkeeper. No matter how many goals you save, people only remember the one you missed.
In modern-day football, the role of the goalkeeper has evolved so much and has been changing quite often. There is more involvement of goalkeeper in the play and the role has become more expansive. The current day goalkeepers are required to be good on their feet apart from saving the shots. He is considered as a first playmaker in a team that likes to build up the attack from the back.
Having increased the demands of the roles to be played by the goalkeeper, one can notice the rise in the transfer fee for a goalkeeper and its no brainer that the amount is justified as they are natural leaders too. Keeping the facts and figures in the mind apart from the qualities of the modern-day keeper, here goes the list of top-five goalkeepers of 2019;
#5 Iker Casillas
The former Los Blancos goalkeeper, who infamously fell out with Jose Mourinho, had an excellent season with FC Porto. Iker Casillas had an excelent season with the club as he had 18 clean sheets in 31 games.
The player pulled off a few majestic and elegant saves than the previous seasons. During his tenure at Madrid, the player was known for his epitomy in goalkeeping. However, the player reproduced the same with FC Porto in 2018/19.
The goalkeeper has let only 19 goals throughout the season and his reactions at the nearpost was quite eye-catching. The player made quick recoveries and saves for the club and kept FC Porto in the hunt for a long duration in the Portuguese league.
However, it is sad that one of the best goalkeepers who has been ever seen at the field was diagnosed with a serious heart ailment because of which he couldnt his career in the game. Alas, it wasnt the right way to end his professional career.
#4 Jan Oblak
The Atletico Madrid “Numero Uno” has been under the limelight for few seasons for his good performances. The player has the lowest number of goals let inside the post and boasts the record of raking up 20 clean sheets in 37 games for Atletico in 2019.
Current Catalan player and former Atletico teammate, Antonio Griezmann, said this;
“He is one of the best goalkeeprs i Have seen, Maybe one of the best in the World”
If the player goes onto perform the same, he can be the one to win the Yashin trophy which is considered equivalent to Ballon D’Or. Can he lead the Diego Simeone side to La-Liga glory?
#3 Ederson Moraes
The former Sevilla shot-stopper has been highly regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League alongside Alisson, David de Gea and Kepa. The player has been phenomenal and is highly regarded by Pep Guardiola.
Under Pep Guardiola, the player has snapped up 20 clean sheets in the single season. However, it wasn’t enough for the player to win the Golden Glove as his rival, Alisson Becker took the trophy away from him.
Apart from his clean saves, the player is known for his attacking ball distribution. For instance, the player set Sergio Aguero and registered an assist in the Premier League. Also, the player has a strong gut to play the interlinking passes up the field.
Can the player end Guardiola’s European title drought as Premier League is going away day by day and week by week?
#2 Marc-Andre ter Stegen
As earlier said, people look for the mistakes made by the goalkeeper rather than his contributions in the game. The same goes for Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The player’s poor game in the Champions League against Liverpool at Anfield has been under scanner despite his heroics in La-Liga.
In 2019, the player had 16 clean sheets from 36 games along with 83% pass completion rate. These data speak for himself and his skills for tiki-taka style of play employed at Camp Nou.
The shot-stopper has been everything for Catalans for two seasons. Catalans have won a La-Liga title with him in 2019 and are on top of the table once again. Can he guide the Spanish champions in regaining their title? Also, can he make up for the mistake at Anfield and bring the European trophy to Camp Nou?
#1 Alisson Becker
The Brazilian shot-stopper had an excellent year in terms of his footballing career. Alisson Becker not only had an excellent Premier League season but also he won the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup with Liverpool. Also, with his Brazil national team, the player won the trophy against Argentina in the final.
The Liverpool goalkeeper had an excellent Premier League debut season and lived up to the hype provided by the media. He not only delivered in the Premier League but also in all the fronts.
In the whole season what caught the eye of fans around the world was “That close-range save” against Napoli in the group stage of Champions League. As he saved the day for Liverpool with that save, Liverpool won the European silverware since 2005.
