Top 10 goalkeepers of the Premier League (Part 2)
This is the second part of the Top 10 Goalkeepers of the Premier League. These ten goalkeepers are the best in the Premier League. So, watch out for them as the young lads in the league try to counter some of the best shot stoppers in the world.
Petr Cech – Chelsea
This 6ft 5 in tall Czech goalkeeper is undoubtedly one of the top two goalkeepers in the world. If an audience poll is created, you won’t be surprised if he comes out on top defeating Spaniard Iker Casillas. Having started his goalkeeping career with Chmel Blsany he slowly matured into a top level shot stopper. His extraordinary goalkeeping skills came into notice when he joined Chelsea in 2004.
Cech has recorded a number of clean sheets with the national team, Sparta Prague and with Chelsea. This brave goalie had a serious injury and underwent surgery for a depressed skull fracture. Cech played an instrumental role for Chelsea in the last season and his superb goalkeeping rewarded the Blues with the UEFA Champions League. Cech has been playing for the national team since 2002. Having played over 250 games for Chelsea, he has signed a new four year contract with the Blues which would run till 2015-16 season.
Looking at some of Cech’s achievements, he received the individual award of Best Goalkeeper in the 2004–05, 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons of the UEFA Champions League. He was also named in the FIFPro and UEFA Champions League teams in 2006. He reached the record of 100 clean sheets in just 180 league appearances and this is a record. He has a club record with Sparta Prague, where he went 928 minutes unbeaten in all competitions in 2001–02. Cech also won the Golden Glove in the 2004–05 and 2009–10 seasons.
Joe Hart – Manchester City
Hart is arguably the second best goalkeeper among the ones playing in the Premier League. The England goal-keeper had a great last season with Manchester City which resulted in their triumph in the Premier League. With such a star studded team, the club was desperately looking to win the Premier League. Hart claimed many clean sheets in the last season which enabled him to win the Barclays Golden Glove for the second time.
This 25 year old footballer was also voted as the Premier League Goalkeeper for 2009-10 season when he played for Birmingham City on loan. Hart is the top goalkeeper in England’s national team and has made 22 appearances for his country so far. He will have to compete hard against some of the best goal-keepers in the Premier League in order to win the Barclays Golden Glove for the third time. No doubt that Petr Cech will be his main competitor during his pursuit of the coveted award.
Shay Given – Aston Villa
Shay Given, the 36 year old Irishman currently plays for Aston Villa. He has been playing for the Republic of Ireland national team for the last 16 years. Given has played over 300 matches for Newcastle United football club and has also spent two years with Manchester City.
The Irish has extended his contract with Aston Villa and will stay at Villa Park for till 2016. Having more than 120 international caps, Shay Given is a part of the Fifa Century Club. Given played a vital role for Manchester City when the club qualified for the UEFA Champions League. He helped his team to finish third for the first time in its history in the Premier League and also led his team to victory in the FA Cup in the 2010-11 season.
Tim Krul – Newcastle United
Krul was with the Magpies when Shay Given was their first choice goalkeeper. Having got his first opportunity, thanks to an injury to Given, Krul showed his shot stopping abilities and impressed everyone. Having joined Newcastle in 2006 he kept playing for other teams on loan. After Shay Given left the Magpies in 2009, Krul rejoined his former club as the second choice ‘keeper.
Krul on getting a few chances to prove his mettle, grabbed each and every opportunity that came his way and finally made his Premier League debut on 18 September 2010. He kept on putting up impressive displays and eventually became the first choice goalkeeper for Newcastle United. This Dutch footballer who now owns the number 1 shirt will play a key role in Newcastle’s fortunes in the coming season.
Wojciech Szczesny – Arsenal
This 22 year old Polish international had a strong start to his career. Having started his youth career in 2004, he joined Arsenal in 2006 to make a name for himself. In 2009 he joined Arsenal’s senior team and at the age of just 20 he became the first choice goalkeeper for the Gunners. Currently 22, he plans to spend his entire career at the Emirates Stadium.
Szczesny started his career with Arsenal wearing the shirt number 53. When Manual Almunia was the first choice goal-keeper for the Gunners, Szczesny performed well in the limited opportunities he received and greatly impressed Arsene Wenger. When Almunia was released, Szczesny eventually won the shirt number 1 which is every goalkeeper’s dream. So with a very promising career upfront he will look to move up the ladder and join the elite group of goalkeepers with his performances in the upcoming season.