The best goalkeepers on the planet.
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The goalkeeper has always been one of the most important players in any football team and, despite not always getting the level of attention that they deserve, some of the goalkeepers currently plying their trade in world football are amongst the finest that the planet has seen.
We’ve taken a look at the finest goalkeepers in the world currently and settled on a top ten, which was far from an easy task.
Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan)
Samir Handanovic now has a tendency to go under the radar somewhat, such is the underperformance of his club side Inter Milan and international team Slovenia currently, but he is still a fine goalkeeper.
The former Udinese man has been a consistent performer since arriving at the San Siro two years ago and is now approaching 200 Serie A appearances overall.
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
England international goalkeeper Joe Hart may have been dropped for Costel Pantillimon at one point last season, but he returned in fine fettle and is one of the world’s finest ‘keepers.
He may be prone to an error, but this is largely a result of the confidence and command that Hart has and how comfortable he is coming off of his line, something that has grown and grown since City plucked him from League Two club Shrewsbury Town as a teenager.
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur)
Former Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper and France international Hugo Lloris has been a fine performer in the Premier League since joining Tottenham Hotspur, for whom he is a key player.
Lloris recently penned a new deal at White Hart Lane and the athletic sweeper ‘keeper will be a central part of Mauricio Pochettino’s thinking going forward.
David de Gea (Manchester United)
Manchester United ‘keeper David de Gea is possibly the finest young goalkeeper in the world, having continued to improve and flourish since arriving at Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid two years ago.
The Spaniard has failed to make the breakthrough at international level yet due to the impressiveness of Vicente del Bosque’s options, but he certainly represents the future of Spanish goalkeeping.
Keylor Navas (Levante)
Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas cemented his position as one of the planet’s most impressive stoppers with his virtuoso performances for Costa Rica at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Those displays, coupled with a wonderful season in La Liga, seem to have persuaded Real Madrid to bring him to the Bernabeu – with a transfer seemingly imminent.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Perhaps the finest goalkeeper of his generation, Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon may be beggining his decline, but he is still one of the finest stoppers around.
Still a key part of the set-up for both his Serie A winning club and his country, Buffon continues to show few signs of letting up.
Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain)
The Paris Saint Germain team that have won two consecutive Ligue 1 titles is largely made up of expensive superstars – but goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu doesn’t quite fit into that stereotype.
The Italian has been superb since arriving in the French capital from Serie A club Palermo and is likely to be the successor to the legendary Buffon for his national team.
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Despite being one of the world’s finest goalkeeper, Chelsea and Czech Republic star Petr Cech could be in danger of losing his position at Stamford Bridge to young pretender Thibaut Courtois.
Wherever Cech is plying his trade next season, however, they will have one of the most consistent goalkeepers of his generation.
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
His performances for Germany during their 2014 FIFA World Cup victory only underlined the fact that Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer is probably the best goalkeeper on the planet right now.
The former Schalke man has been a key part of the performances of both his club and national side recently, often playing almost as an extra defender such is his comfortableness on the ball.
Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
Belgian Thibaut Courtois may finally get his opportunity at Stamford Bridge in the coming season, having returned from three consecutive years on loan with Atletico Madrid, during which time he lifted the La Liga title.
The former Genk man has blossomed into one of the game’s finest goalkeepers since then and may now be ready to take over Petr Cech’s mantle at Chelsea.