This season we’ve really been treated in terms of attacking football. With players like Sadio Mane, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku being clinical going forward along with other players. But there have also been reasons to shout between the sticks.
With such prolific attacking players on show in the Premier League, it’s easy to forget about the keepers. A lot of them seem to be overlooked when it comes to their quality but there are a few who remain in everybody’s conversations like Hugo Lloris, David de Gea and Thibault Courtois. However, there are a few keepers I feel don’t get the recognition they should.
3 Underrated Premier League Goalkeepers
1: Ben Foster – West Bromwich Albion
Coming to the end of his sixth season with West Brom, Foster has been an ever-present in the Baggies side in a year that could see them beat their record Premier League point’s tally of 49. Currently sitting 8th in the Premier League they could also get their highest finish if they move up to 7th. But that does seem unlikely with Everton 7 points ahead with a game in hand.
This season has seen Foster play more regularly since he made his loan move permanent in 2012 playing 32 games. So far he’s kept six clean sheets which is the 11th most in the league this season. With some notable performances he has also been unlucky on a few occasions, conceding late goals like against Arsenal.
It’s also easy to forget that Foster was playing for Manchester United a few years ago too. Winning the League Cup twice with them and once with Birmingham its clear to see there is quality there. But somehow the 33 year old has only played 8 times for England. Playing in the Premier League for years, maybe he could’ve been given more of a chance in the international setup.
Yes, there are better keepers than Foster in the Premier League but it’s fair to say he doesn’t get as much praise as he should.
2: Jordan Pickford – Sunderland
Another underrated keeper in my eyes is Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford. Breaking into the Sunderland team last season, Pickford helped keep them up. However, that’s looking less likely this year with The Black Cats rock bottom of the league table.
Despite his team looking likely to go down this season Pickford has put in some notable displays this year. With the Sunderland defence not really helping the likes of Pickford and Jermain Defoe (who has 14 league goals) I find it hard to blame either of them that much for where they are at the moment.
Pickford has shown time and time again he’s a top quality goalkeeper making all different types of saves but all of that gets overlooked by Sunderland’s form. He’s progressed through the England youth teams but is yet to play for the first team. Unfortunately, with Hart, Forster and Heaton in front of him it seems his debut could be a way away.
But there have been rumours this season that he could be on the move in the summer. For me he could fit into most Premier League teams nicely. But whether he chooses to leave his boyhood club if they are relegated is another thing.
3: Lee Grant – Stoke City
Now into his mid-thirties the theory that keepers get better with age seems to be right with Lee Grant. Playing in his first season in the Premier League he has 9 clean sheets in 27 games.
Starting the season on loan at Stoke the move was made permanent because of his impressing performances. But would be expected to be dropped once England international Jack Butland is back in the team.
Stoke’s form has taken a dip recently with The Potters losing 4 of their last 5 games. But seeing as they haven’t scored in 3 of those games, not all the blame should be placed on Grant. He’s conceded less goals (33) than Foster and Pickford this season as well as keeping more clean sheets than both.
Now into the latter stages of his career its likely these could be his prime years in the Premier League and his shot stopping earlier in the season shows why.
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