Ben Stewart
The top 10 best shot-stoppers in Europe's top 5 leagues this season
Depending on who you ask, goalkeepers are often referred to as the most important player on the pitch. A good shot-stopper can be the difference between a win and a draw, and many are frequently getting points for their side on their own.
It’s a position that can be difficult to measure statistically but goals prevented is regarded by many as the best measure.
Using expected goals, it shows the number of goals that a goalkeeper was expected to concede as a proportion of the number of goals they actually conceded.
So using that metric, here are the top 10 best goalkeepers in Europe’s top 5 leagues based on their goals prevented rate (minimum of half of their teams minutes played this season).
10. Alban Lafont (Nantes) 1.12
The 23-year-old Frenchman has long been regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and with good reason.
He’s already managed more than 200 appearances in his career despite his age.
As well as excelling in prevented goals, only two ‘keepers in Ligue 1 have made more saves from shots in the penalty box than Lafont.
9. Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna) 1.12
Perhaps one of the less familiar names on this list yet the 30-year-old has been in fine form in Serie A.
Only two ‘keepers in the league have made more saves than him this season.
He joins a long line of top-class Polish goalkeepers and is unfortunate than his country are so well-stocked in that position.
8. Alexander Nubel (Monaco) 1.13
On loan from Bayern Munich, 25-year-old Nubel is building quite the reputation.
He’s seen by many as the successor to Manuel Neuer and is doing himself no harm with excellent performance in France.
The German has made the 8th most saves in Ligue 1, so he’s not the busiest, but his prevented goals shows that when called upon he’s a marvelous shot-stopper.
7. Alfred Gomis (Rennes) 1.16
Rennes have been excellent in Ligue 1 this season and Gomis has played a big part in that.
The 28-year-old has struggled to nail down the number 1 spot at numerous clubs in his career but is proving his talent now in Brittany.
Similar to Nubel, he’s not been the busiest ‘keeper in the division in terms of making the most saves but has still won his side crucial points.
6. Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt) 1.18
Only Yann Sommer has made more Bundesliga saves than Frankfurt’s number 1.
The German international has been in impervious form since returning to Die Adler and while this season might be seen as an underwhelming one for them, Trapp has remained one of the best shot-stoppers his country has to offer.
5. Mike Maignan (AC Milan) 1.24
After the departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma in the summer, Maignan was brought in from Lille and it’s like there’s been no change between the sticks.
He’s earned rave reviews for his performances, particularly in the Milan derby in February, and looks set to be the Rosseneri’s first choice for some time.
The 26-year-old has been so impressive that he could finally ease out Hugo Lloris from donning the gloves for France.
4. Mark Flekken (Freiburg) 1.25
Flekken’s incredible form this season led to him making his international debut for the Netherlands back in March and he’ll be looking to hold onto the position for the World Cup later this year.
The 28-year-old has been integral to Freiburg’s push for European football, with only Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig conceding fewer goals.
3. Walter Benitez (Nice) 1.29
It’s quite astonishing that Argentinian-born Benitez has never been called up to play for his home nation.
It could prove to be a costly mistake, because his form has been so impressive this season that there’s been talk of him being called up for France, having been there for more than five years.
Nice have conceded the fewest goals in Ligue 1 but only three goalkeepers have made more saves than Benitez.
He’s kept their hopes of European football very much alive.
2. Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan) 1.29
Has there ever been a more underrated goalkeeper than Handanovic?
Despite turning 38 this summer, the Slovenian has long been one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and he’s arguably having his best season yet.
The Inter captain’s future is in doubt though - his contract expires this summer and with Ajax’s Andre Onana set to join - this could be his last season at the San Siro.
However, with his quality showing no sign of dipping, he could turn out to be a very smart signing elsewhere.
1. Jose Sa (Wolves) 1.51
Sa has got to be one of the Premier League’s signings of the season.
Replacing Rui Patricio was always going to be a big ask but he’s surpassed those standards.
His performance away at Man City in particular is an example of his incredible shot-stopping ability.The fact his goal prevention rate is 0.22 higher than any other regular goalkeeper in Europe is remarkable in itself and is a proof that he’s been one of, if not the best shot-stopper on the continent this season.