As we approach the business end of the Premier League season, supporters of all 20 teams will have strong feelings about the performances of their side's goalkeeper.
A trusted keeper can be the difference between a comfortable season in mid-table and a relegation fight, or between a European finish and a title challenge. We've seen this over the years at clubs all across the Premier League, whether it's Liverpool upgrading from Loris Karius to Alisson or Manchester City realising their Claudio Bravo mistake quickly enough to turn things around.
The 2021-22 season has been one where old hands have suffered a dip and new arrivals have exceeded expectations. And with that in mind, here is Mirror Football 's ranking of the best 10 goalkeepers in the Premier League so far this season.
10. Lukasz Fabianski
When West Ham brought in Alphonse Areola on loan over the summer, there was a feeling Fabianski's days as number one would be over. Or, at the very least, he might be bumped from his perch upon the first glaring mistake.
Instead, he hasn't really given David Moyes that opportunity. While the former Poland international hasn't always been the most eye-catching, he has been a steady presence during a second successive push for Europe.
Areola continues to audition well in the cups, with his display in the win over Sevilla earning plaudits. But he looks no closer to becoming West Ham's number one than he did upon making a loan switch from Paris Saint-Germain in August.
Who has been the Premier League's best goalkeeper this season? Have your say in the comments section
9. Robert Sanchez
Robert Sanchez certainly passed an audition of his own when handed the gloves by Graham Potter at Brighton & Hove Albion last season. Not only did he force Mat Ryan to leave on loan in January, but he ended the campaign in Spain's Euro 2020 squad ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Not only has he kept his spot in the squad, but it was David de Gea - rather than his compatriot - who made way for a new call-up in the latest squad. A senior Roja debut arrived in September, and a spot at the World Cup is surely in his grasp.
There have still been some unconvincing moments in the league, not least in the recent defeat to Liverpool. However, at the age of just 24, and just two years removed from third-tier football, he has established himself as a top-flight regular capable of big saves and bigger interventions.
8. Martin Dubravka
Without Dubravka, Newcastle might have found themselves even further adrift before Eddie Howe was able to add to the squad. The Slovakian has quickly recovered from a disappointing Euros with Slovakia to regain his place from Karl Darlow and stay in contention for a starting spot even after the next inevitable transfer splurge.
According to FBRef.com, only three keepers in the league have a better performance against post-shot expected goals (PSxG) than Dubravka. While it's true the Magpies have faced more shots than some other sides this term, his numbers compare very favourably to those of Darlow and Freddie Woodman.
It's still possible Martin Dubravka isn't between the sticks for Newcastle next season. However, without his performances this term, it's possible they wouldn't be in a position to attract better.
7. David de Gea
No, Manchester United's defensive record this season hasn't been great. And no, David De Gea's performances haven't been considered good enough for Luis Enrique to hand him a single international cap since 2020.
However, there are still some numbers in the Spaniard's favour. Not least the league-leading PSxG of 10.6, better than even the man at number one on his list.
Why isn't he higher? Well, goalkeeping is about more than just shot-stopping, and one would argue he can't be considered entirely blameless while playing behind a back four which has failed to convince under two managers. He's still a top keeper, but perhaps not at the level he was when he earned his most recent bumper contract at Old Trafford.
6. David Raya
Raya is the man who replaced De Gea in the most recent Spain squad, and he admitted he expected the reaction not to be unanimously positive. However, his performances for Brentford make it easy to understand the decision from Luis Enrique.
"It’s understandable," he said. I’ve played most of my career in the Championship, a league that is hardly known in Spain. It’s understandable that there are people who don’t know who I am or have questions about me.”
The 25-year-old was both a big part of the promotion push, and a key element as Brentford started strongly. His injury was followed by a drop-off in form, and it's surely no coincidence his return has brought an upturn in form which could keep the Bees afloat.
5. Ederson
It's hard to gauge Ederson's importance this season, simply because the Manchester City back four have been so strong. Does a solid defensive line make a keeper's job easier, or is it the reverse?
Manchester City have conceded just 18 goals this season. Their 32 last season was also the league's lowest. And yet that's more or less in line with the quality of chances conceded by Pep Guardiola's side.
City's defenders have come to adjust to the man behind them, knowing what to expect even when there are elements which may seem unpredictable to outsiders. Still, this is only the second time in the last 10 seasons when the champions haven't spent millions to add a new senior defender to their ranks, and their record at the back has been as good as it's ever been. Surely some of that's on the Brazilian.
4. Alisson
While Ederson has continued to impress, his compatriot has done the same behind a team set up rather differently. The often relentless attacking drive of Liverpool hasn't always made Alisson's task harder, but he's always had to be on his toes.
The top scorers in the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp's side have called on the former Roma man in all manner of circumstances as they continue to push for an unlikely quadruple. Most recently, he was the last line of defence in a nervy cup win against Nottingham Forest in which there were times when his mere presence was enough to put opponents off their game.
While Caoimhin Kelleher was the star of the Carabao Cup run, success elsewhere will rest on Alisson's shoulders. And, after appearing to be reinvigorated by that goal against West Brom in last season's run-in, few would question his ability to deliver.
3. Aaron Ramsdale
The questions about Ramsdale's arrival at Arsenal were legitimate ones. He was expensive, yes, especially for someone relegated in each of the last two seasons. And especially for someone who might not even be first choice.
Two thirds of the way through the Gunners' season, though, and those questions have been answered. Now another one remains: will Aaron Ramsdale be England's starting keeper at the World Cup, with Everton's misery beginning to afflict Jordan Pickford.
The former Sheffield United man has been at the heart of a defence looking to improve on last season's not-too-shabby record of 39 goals conceded. However, his claims (10.2% of opponents' crosses, compared to 8.4 for Bernd Leno last term) and that great intangible of influence on the squad have endeared him to supporters in north London.
2. Edouard Mendy
Mendy's absence from the Ballon d'Or shortlist was a bizarre one, with plenty speaking out about the omission. However, that related just as much to last season as to this one, and the Chelsea man wouldn't be as high on this list had he not delivered more of the same.
The Senegal star is the epitome of an all-round goalkeeper. Ready to use his height and reach to snuff out opposition attacks, while also prepared to do the dirty work with point-blank saves or dives at forwards' feet.
Chelsea's win over Brentford in October was the best example of what Mendy brings to his team, with the Blues' near neighbours registering 17 shots - seven on target - without netting. Oh, and his performances at international level certainly deserve a mention, as do his six clean sheets in nine Chelsea games since returning as a continental champion.
1. Jose Sa
When Gary Neville named Jose Sa his signing of the season just before the turn of the year, eyebrows were raised. He had been good, sure, but had he even been the best goalkeeper, given Ramsdale's impressive adjustment to life at Arsenal?
However, it's important to recognise the situation into which the Portuguese keeper was thrown. Playing under a rookie Premier League manager, in a team which had finished the previous campaign sluggishly, and replacing a man with more than 100 international caps. Failure would have been easy.
Only five teams have scored fewer goals than Wolves this season, with last season's challenges continuing. However, it's thanks to a man with a PSxG of 9.9 higher than the number of goals he's conceded - essentially conceding 10 fewer than the numbers say he should, while claiming 10.2% of crosses compared to the unimpressive 5.9% posted by Rui Patricio last season - that Bruno Lage's side have spent much of the season in the European conversation. Now it's about how long he can keep that up.
