Gone are the times when goalkeepers had been an afterthought. Now, groups allocate a serious chunk of their switch funds to seize the most effective goalkeepers within the enterprise. These keepers, even the supposedly greatest ones, don’t essentially excel at shot-stopping. Nevertheless, they’re sensible with regards to distribution, making them integral to groups that construct from the again.
Since virtually each high Premier League workforce prefer to construct play from deep, goalkeepers who’re glorious with the ball are at all times in excessive demand. The pattern is obvious beneath as we check out the 5 most costly 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 a variety of feathers when he introduced David Raya on mortgage from Brentford initially 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 selection for the season.
Raya proved himself each in shot-stopping and distribution, serving to Arsenal push Manchester Metropolis all the best way to the top. Sadly, the season didn’t finish in jubilation for him and his workforce, as they missed out on main silverware. His performances, nonetheless, had been virtually flawless. Having stored 16 clear sheets in 32 matches within the Premier League, Raya took house 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 capability to take care of high-pressing forwards is second to none within the Premier League, and he additionally has the innate capability to ship correct lengthy balls from deep.
Ederson, who nonetheless has practically two years left on his contract (June 2026), has performed 332 video games for the Cityzens within the final seven seasons, holding 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 wished a goalkeeper who was comfy on the ball, which De Gea was not.
Sadly, the transfer didn’t pan out the best way Ten Hag had hoped. Onana had a lackluster few matches initially of the season, letting in objectives on account of his poor shot-stopping and decision-making. He, nonetheless, turned it round within the second half of the season, nevertheless 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 holding 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 price within the final six years, main the Reds to all the foremost 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 appropriate go even beneath strain, has performed 263 matches for the Merseysiders throughout competitions, holding 114 clear sheets and conceding 236 objectives. The 31-year-old has additionally scored for Liverpool. He dispatched a sensational header in damage time to seal a 2-1 win for Liverpool towards West Bromwich Albion on Matchday 36 of the 2020-21 season.
Alisson is without doubt one of the leaders of the workforce and will 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 file €80 million ($87.36 million) price to signal Kepa Arrizabalaga from Spanish facet Athletic Bilbao in August 2018. In keeping with Transfermarkt, the Spanish goalkeeper was solely price €20 million ($21.84 million) on the time.
Arrizabalaga’s story has not panned out the best way the Blues had desired. He was an everyday 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 damage within the 2022-23 season allowed Arrizabalaga some common sport time, however he couldn’t show to Chelsea that he was the appropriate 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, holding 59 clear sheets and conceding 175 objectives. His contract expires in June 2025.
