Gone are the times when goalkeepers have been an afterthought. Now, groups allocate a serious chunk of their switch funds to seize the very best goalkeepers within the enterprise. These keepers, even the supposedly finest ones, don’t essentially excel at shot-stopping. Nevertheless, they’re sensible relating to distribution, making them integral to groups that construct from the again.
Since nearly each prime Premier League staff wish to construct play from deep, goalkeepers who’re glorious with the ball are at all times in excessive demand. The pattern is obvious under as we check out the 5 costliest goalkeepers in Premier League historical past. Let’s start!
#5 David Raya (Brentford to Arsenal): €31.9 million ($34.83 million)
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta ruffled lots of feathers when he introduced David Raya on mortgage from Brentford firstly of the 2023-24 season. Many referred to as it an pointless transfer, because the Gunners already had the in-form Aaron Ramsdale at their disposal. Arteta, nonetheless, didn’t take note of the criticism and put in the Spaniard as his goalkeeper of alternative for the season.
Raya proved himself each in shot-stopping and distribution, serving to Arsenal push Manchester Metropolis all the way in which to the tip. Sadly, the season didn’t finish in jubilation for him and his staff, as they missed out on main silverware. His performances, nonetheless, have been nearly flawless. Having saved 16 clear sheets in 32 matches within the Premier League, Raya took dwelling the Golden Glove award in his debut season at Arsenal.
On the finish of the mortgage, Arsenal unsurprisingly triggered his €31.9 million ($34.83 million) buy clause, tying him all the way down to a four-year contract.
#4 Ederson (Benfica to Manchester Metropolis): €40 million ($43.68 million)
Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola virtually began the pattern of signing higher ball gamers over shot-stoppers in July 2017, bringing in Ederson from Benfica for €40 million ($43.68 million). Ederson’s capacity to cope with high-pressing forwards is second to none within the Premier League, and he additionally has the innate capacity to ship correct lengthy balls from deep.
Ederson, who nonetheless has almost two years left on his contract (June 2026), has performed 332 video games for the Cityzens within the final seven seasons, preserving 155 clear sheets and conceding 257 clear sheets. Ederson has helped the reigning English champions to 6 Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League trophy, and two FA Cups, amongst different honors.
#3 Andre Onana (Inter Milan to Manchester United): €50.2 million ($54.82 million)
Regardless of David De Gea’s Golden Glove win within the 2022-23 season, Manchester United allowed his contract to expire on June 30, 2023. They signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan as his alternative, paying a whopping €50.2 million ($54.82 million) for him. As per stories, coach Erik ten Hag personally requested for Onana, as he needed a goalkeeper who was comfy on the ball, which De Gea was not.
Sadly, the transfer didn’t pan out the way in which Ten Hag had hoped. Onana had a lackluster few matches firstly of the season, letting in objectives resulting from his poor shot-stopping and decision-making. He, nonetheless, turned it round within the second half of the season, however it was nowhere near what Manchester United legend De Gea had achieved in 2022-23. Onana, whose contract runs till June 2028, performed 51 matches within the 2023-24 season, conceding 83 objectives and preserving solely 13 clear sheets.
#2 Alisson (AS Roma to Liverpool): €62.5 million ($68.25 million)
Former Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp upgraded his backline considerably in the summertime of 2018, signing Alisson from AS Roma for a cool €62.5 million ($68.25 million) price. The Brazilian goalkeeper has comfortably confirmed his value within the final six years, main the Reds to all the main trophies on supply, together with the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Membership World Cup, and the FA Cup.
Alisson, who excels at discovering the correct go even beneath stress, has performed 263 matches for the Merseysiders throughout competitions, preserving 114 clear sheets and conceding 236 objectives. The 31-year-old has additionally scored for Liverpool. He dispatched a sensational header in harm time to seal a 2-1 win for Liverpool in opposition to West Bromwich Albion on Matchday 36 of the 2020-21 season.
Alisson is likely one of the leaders of the staff and may simply retain his place beneath new supervisor Arne Slot. His contract with Liverpool runs till June 30, 2027.
#1 Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea): €80 million ($87.36 million)
Premier League giants Chelsea paid a document €80 million ($87.36 million) price to signal Kepa Arrizabalaga from Spanish facet Athletic Bilbao in August 2018. In line with Transfermarkt, the Spanish goalkeeper was solely value €20 million ($21.84 million) on the time.
Arrizabalaga’s story has not panned out the way in which the Blues had desired. He was a daily within the first two seasons however misplaced his place after Edouard Mendy joined the Pensioners from Stade Reims in the summertime of 2020. Mendy’s harm within the 2022-23 season allowed Arrizabalaga some common sport time, however he couldn’t show to Chelsea that he was the correct man to guard their objective. So, after a lot deliberation, they despatched him out to Actual Madrid on a season-long mortgage. The 29-year-old performed 20 matches for Los Blancos earlier than shedding his place to Andriy Lunin.
Arrizabalaga, who’s at present again at Chelsea, has performed 163 video games for the London membership, preserving 59 clear sheets and conceding 175 objectives. His contract expires in June 2025.
