Courtesy of the wonderful FBREF we’ve used the PSxG minus goals allowed metric to rank the top-flight stoppers. ‘What the f*** is that?’ you might reasonably ask…
Post-shot expected goals is expected goals based on how likely the goalkeeper is to save the shot. When the number of goals they have conceded is subtracted, we are left with the figures below. FBREF explains that positive numbers suggest better luck or an above-average ability to stop shots.
Here’s how the Premier League keepers have performed this season, and at this early stage they must have started seven Premier League games.
1) Mads Hermansen (Leicester City): +5.8
Only one keeper has ever made more saves in a Premier League game than the 13 Hermansen managed against Arsenal. That was David de Gea against the Gunners in December 2017; the Foxes’ No. 1 was unfortunate that Mikel Arteta’s side are slightly better now. He settled into mid-table of this list through October/November but he made seven saves v West Ham as Leicester returned to winning ways. And then made another five v Brighton.
Leicester have conceded the most PSxG of any Premier League team this season but Hermansen is helping keep them out of the relegation zone. Though he was little help v Newcastle United. And now he’s injured.
2) Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace): +4.0
Very motivated to make a point v Manchester United after their ‘criminal’ decision, but when not fuelled by spite you get two Dwight McNeil goals conceded from a PSxG of 0.6 against Everton. But he was brilliant in almost keeping out Nottingham Forest, then bagged another clean sheet v Spurs. Then his numbers were given a boost with a saved penalty v Aston Villa. A clean sheet v Ipswich was very welcome indeed and he then under-conceded v Manchester City. He is helping a vulnerable Palace team stay out of the relegation zone.
3) Andre Onana (Manchester United): +3.8
Was exposed v Arsenal but then had an absolute ‘mare v Nottingham Forest, making no saves and allowing committing a howler for the Morgan Gibbs-White goal. Looked flat-footed for the Man City goal but he emerged with no real blame attached. For once.
4) Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham): +2.9
He struggles with set-pieces but his shot-stopping is pretty exemplary; he had under-conceded (is that a thing?) in all his Premier League games until that batsh*t game v Brighton. Made five saves v Crystal Palace and then none v Aston Villa. Only actually made one save v Ipswich Town but it was a belter. And was brilliant in keeping a clean sheet v Manchester City. Now absent though injury.
5) Alisson (Liverpool): +2.3
The best goalkeeper on this metric two years ago, and is in the mix again. He has the best save percentage in the Premier League at 80%. Returned to the Premier League to make just one save v Fulham.
6) Arjanet Muric (Ipswich Town): +1.9
A pretty busy boy in that Ipswich goal but emerges comfortably in credit. Made five saves in the win over Wolves.
7) Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham): +1.8
Made eight saves to protect a point v Bournemouth as the old man proved he’s still got what it takes.
8) Nick Pope (Newcastle): +1.6
Ranks fourth for saves, which feels like too many saves for a Newcastle goalkeeper to be making. Came out of the 3-3 draw v Liverpool in credit thanks to some fine saves, but letting in four v Brentford was sub-optimal. Now injured.
9) Caoimin Kelleher (Liverpool): 1.4
Will surely leave Liverpool next summer at the latest; his numbers are good but not in the Alisson bracket. Saved well from Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne to stay clean v Manchester City, but was poor v Newcastle.
10) Ederson (Manchester City): +1.2
He’s a lot busier without Rodri. Alarmingly, City have allowed a better quality of chances in the first 14 games of the season than Manchester United.
11) Robert Sanchez (Chelsea): +1.1
Is behind only Alisson in terms of save percentage but still gets pelters from pundits.
12) Kepa (Bournemouth): -0.2
Finally kept a second clean sheet of the season v Tottenham and was excellent v Ipswich Town. Then only conceded from the penalty spot as the Cherries drew 1-1 with West Ham.
13) Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton): -0.3
Made five saves to keep a first clean sheet of the season v Everton. Got injured at the wrong time.
14) Bart Verbruggen (Brighton): -0.3
Conceded eight goals in his last three Premier League games and made only three saves. Oh dear.
15) Jordan Pickford (Everton): -1.3
Made five saves v Arsenal to keep his sixth clean sheet of the season.
16) David Raya (Arsenal): -1.6
Arsenal have the lowest PSxG against them this season so it’s hard for a goalkeeper to truly shine. He’s not down here because he’s one of the worst goalkeepers in the Premier League. He made one excellent save v Manchester United.
17) Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest): -1.8
One among many incompetent Forest keepers last season but has an 71% save percentage this season and five clean sheets. He was excellent to safeguard a point v Chelsea and then a clean sheet v Crystal Palace. Was barely tested v Leicester City and West Ham, but then exposed v Newcastle United, Arsenal and Manchester City. Returned to good form v Villa but the Forest keeper is not tested nearly enough for him to shine.
18) Mark Flekken (Brentford): -1.8
Consistently one of the worst goalkeepers on this metric last season, no keeper has made more saves than Flekken this season.
19) Sam Johnstone (Wolves): -3.0
Seven Premier League games. No clean sheets. Wolves are very, very bad.
20) Bernd Leno (Fulham): -3.2
His save percentage has dropped from 72% to 65.6% this season.
20) Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa): -3.5
Not the sort of player you expect to see down here, but it took a rotten Manchester United for him to finally keep a clean sheet. Saved a penalty v Fulham to boost his numbers but was poor v Tottenham and then Chelsea. Had literally nothing to do v Southampton. Made a ludicrous save v Nottingham Forest but still emerged in the black.
21) Alphonse Areola (West Ham): -3.6
Worst save percentage in the Premier League. Has long been replaced.
22) Jose Sa (Wolves): -5.2
Kept his first clean sheet of the season v Southampton but was required to make exactly zero saves. Was barely tested by Fulham. Was very much tested v Bournemouth and Everton and was found wanting. Wolves have two poor keepers.
