There are plenty of iconic goalkeepers who have graced the Premier League over the years, from those who become cult figures due to either their comedy value, or indeed their sheer competence as a netminder. This unique position on the football pitch has thrown up many colourful characters, and many top-class shot stoppers too.
One of the key statistics when analysing great Premier League goalkeepers is the number of saves they have made throughout their careers. When you study the figures, it’s remarkable to note just how many times these stoppers have kept the ball out of the net, helping their team become more favoured in the football odds. Read on, as we count down the five goalkeepers who have made the most saves in the Premier League since the statistic began getting recorded from the 2006-07 season.
5. Jussi Jääskeläinen (902 saves)
Edging in at the number five spot is former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen. The Finnish stopper will be familiar to all those who religiously watched Match of the Day in the 2000s, and during his time in the Premier League he recorded a massive 902 saves. Jääskeläinen did have the occasional mistake in his locker, but overall, he was about as solid a goalkeeper as you can ask for at Premier League level, becoming a key member of Sam Allardyce’s successful Bolton team.
4. Joe Hart (941 saves)
While Joe Hart’s Premier League career has melted away in sad fashion, it’s worth remembering that he was once widely considered as one of the best stoppers in the league. Hart first made his mark at Birmingham City whilst on loan from Manchester City, but it was with the Citizens where Hart truly became a club legend, before his form rapidly deteriorated. Throughout his best years in the Premier League, Hart made a not-too-shabby 941 saves, which helped Man City win multiple league titles.
3. Tim Howard (992 saves)
American goalkeeper Tim Howard sits third in our list, having made 992 saves during his lengthy spell with Everton. He was a mainstay in the Toffees’ line-up for many years, helping the club become a formidable force in the top half of the table, all while pulling out top-drawer saves time and time again. While Howard perhaps doesn’t spring to mind when you think about the all-time great Premier League goalkeepers.
2. Petr Čech (1,005 saves)
You may be surprised that former Chelsea and Arsenal hero Petr Čech doesn’t top the list, but that may simply be because the stats don’t include the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. Nevertheless, there are still a mammoth 1,005 saves to Čech’s name, and the Czech ‘keeper proved himself over many years as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever to grace the Premier League. His form in his early days at Chelsea was one of the main reasons then Blues enjoyed so much success, and Čech is well worthy of his status as a Premier League legend.
1. Ben Foster (1,178 saves)
Topping the list is a goalkeeper whose consistency and longevity make him something of a Premier League cult hero. Ben Foster has been a top-flight stalwart throughout his career, and although he is currently playing in the Championship with Watford, he has played for the Hornets, Birmingham City, Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. Foster has long been one of English football’s best shot-stoppers, and his total of 1,178 saves is a remarkable achievement. He’ll be hoping that he can help Watford to promotion this season, so that he can continue to add to his impressive Premier League save total.