Positioning is one of the most important skills for a goalkeeper, along with footwork. Most goalies prefer a solid catch over a dramatic diving save that pleases the spectators. Ideally, a goalkeeper should always try to position their body behind the ball, and this is only possible if they start in a good position.
Goalkeepers must constantly adjust their position based on where the ball is on the field. They need to make these small adjustments even when the ball is far away.
With that in mind,
Here are the five goalkeepers with the best position in world football.
5. Samir Handanovic
Even at 37, Inter Milan’s goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic, is still one of the best. In the 2020-21 Serie A season, he had the most clean sheets (14).
“We’re focused on what the final is going to be,” Lionel Messi said about the upcoming 2024 Copa America final, predicting it will be intense as Argentina prepares for it.
Handanovic played a key role in Inter Milan’s successful Serie A campaign last season, allowing the fewest goals. In 37 games, he conceded only 33 goals, averaging 0.89 goals per match.
A big part of Handanovic’s success is his positioning. At 37, he reads the game well and can block scoring angles.
Handanovic has already kept a clean sheet in his first game of the 2021-22 season and is expected to be crucial in Inter Milan’s title defense.
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4. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020, is a remarkable goalkeeper.
Standing at 6’5″, he uses his size to his advantage, often positioning himself well to block shots. This helps him make impressive saves during open play and do well in one-on-one situations.
Like all great goalkeepers, Donnarumma uses his big frame to block goalscoring angles and keep out shots.
In the 2020-21 Serie A season, Donnarumma and Handanovic both had the most clean sheets (14). During Euro 2020, the Italian goalkeeper let in only four goals in seven games and had three clean sheets.
Since starting with AC Milan in 2015, Donnarumma has saved 18 out of 53 penalties. He has a perfect record in five penalty shootouts for both club and country. At 22 years old, he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now.
3. Manuel Neuer
Even at the end of his career, Manuel Neuer is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The German has been the top choice for many years and continues to perform well because of his skill and experience.
Neuer introduced the ‘sweeper-keeper’ role, playing just a little behind his defenders. At 35 years old, he is involved in starting attacks from the back and sometimes moves to the middle of the field, even when under pressure from opponents.
Neuer is considered the best goalkeeper when it comes to playing with the ball. He embodies the idea that goalkeepers are both the last line of defense and the first line of attack. Manuel can do this because he always knows where he is in relation to the goal. He often leaves his goal line to stop opposition attacks early.
The two-time Champions League winner likes to stay close behind his defenders to better control the space behind them. Manuel Neuer will be remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history.
2. Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker, the Brazilian goalkeeper, is one of the best in the world. He has become even better since joining Liverpool for €62.5 million.
Before joining Liverpool, Alisson was already seen as a talented goalkeeper. In his three years at the club, he has proven himself to be one of the very best. He has won both the Champions League and the Premier League with Liverpool and played a key role in their success.
Alisson, along with Virgil Van Dijk, was a crucial addition to Jurgen Klopp’s team. Both players have been essential to Liverpool’s strong defense in recent years. In his first Premier League season, Alisson kept 21 clean sheets and provided six assists during Liverpool’s 2018-19 Champions League victory.
In the 2019-20 Premier League season, Alisson conceded only 23 goals and kept 15 clean sheets. His success comes from his excellent positioning and physical presence, allowing him to control his six-yard box effectively.
1. Jan Oblak
Jan Oblak is considered the best goalkeeper in the world right now when it comes to positioning.
In an interview with Guillem Balague for BBC Sport, Oblak talked about goalkeeping:
“The most important thing for a goalkeeper is their position because if you are in the right position, have good body posture, and stay calm, you often don’t need extraordinary reactions to stop the ball.“
He also said:
“Sometimes you make a catch that looks easy, but you feel proud because you were in the right place at the right time.“
Oblak demonstrates this on the field, using his physical presence and perfect positioning to always be in the right spot. In 305 games for Atletico Madrid, the Slovenian goalkeeper has kept 160 clean sheets.
The 28-year-old has also mastered different footwork techniques in goalkeeping, like bounding, shuffling, and crossover stepping. Jan Oblak has won the prestigious Zamora Trophy five times in his career. The Zamora Trophy is given to the La Liga goalkeeper who concedes the fewest goals during the season.
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