An exceptional goalkeeper can make the difference for his team , making incredible saves, being the voice of his team, and inspiring his defense with confidence and assurance.
A goalkeeper must possess excellent jumping ability, excellent coordination , strong distribution and a reliable catch. In addition, they need great agility and quick reflexes .
Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks was an acclaimed goalkeeper who died on 12 February 2019, aged 81, widely regarded as one of the greatest English footballers of all time. Born and raised in Sheffield, Banks first made an impressive impression as a coal sack loader/road sweeper at Tinsley County Secondary Modern before developing a passion for goalkeeping through the encouragement of his father, Thomas Banks.
Banks made his first-team debut for Leicester City after impressing for Chesterfield Reserves, signing for $7,000, as one of six senior goalkeepers who competed with manager Matt Gillies for regular first-team selection . He quickly established himself as a favourite among his team-mates.
Banks was not included in England’s starting eleven for the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany at Wembley; however, he played two of the three matches during the 1965 tournament in Brazil and earned his first cap. Even when Blackpool’s Tony Waiters emerged as an opponent during the 1964 summer training camp matches against Brazil, he managed to retain Alf Ramsey as number one.
Banks’ heroics in the 1982 match in Mexico, where he made what many consider the greatest save of all time to stop Brazil’s Pele, earned him international praise. Banks was capped 73 times by England during this period and was named goalkeeper of the year by both the FWA and FIFA on six separate occasions.
Pat Jennings
Patrick Anthony Jennings OBE KSG (born 12 June 1945 in Newry, Northern Ireland) was a legendary goalkeeper who held positions at some of the biggest clubs in England , as well as Northern Ireland. In a 22-year career that saw him earn 119 caps for both clubs, Jennings is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers ever seen.
He’s the kind of player who puts his heart and soul into making those around him better. While he may not be the best at distribution or athletic ability, he always gets up and does his job – always being there when things go wrong, as well as possessing enough leadership ability to take a team from good to great.
Jennings began his professional career at Watford, before moving across town to White Hart Lane in 1967, where he spent 13 years, appearing in 472 league games and 591 overall for Spurs during this period, winning both FA Cups (1967 and 1973), as well as League Cup titles in 1971 and 1973, and being shortlisted for the Footballer of the Year Award in 1973.
After retiring as a player in 1993, Pat became a goalkeeping coach at Tottenham, a position he has continued to hold to this day. He is the father of his son, Pat (also a goalkeeper), who has played for UCD, Derry City, Sligo Rovers and Glenavon in the Eircom League.
Mark Schwarzer
Goalkeeping is a tough position, serving as the last line of defense against opponents, but teams with lethal forwards, superior playmaking abilities in midfield, and solid backline defense could still struggle without an outstanding goalkeeper between the goals.
There are many elements that go into creating an exceptional goalkeeper, from natural talent and training methods to the recruiting process, but perhaps the most important is the character of the individual. Great goalkeepers tend to be hard workers who work hard and put in extra hours. Their dedication often goes unnoticed as they are constantly looking for ways to improve.
Many of the greatest goalkeepers in football history have transformed the way the position is played, such as Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer and Germany’s Gerd Muller (known as Der Bomber). Others have simply excelled on their own terms.
Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer stands out as an impressive example, being one of the oldest players to compete at the highest level for Australia and Leicester City, at 43. Schwarzer has been widely recognised for the leadership, consistency and sportsmanship he has shown throughout his career.
Schwarzer played professionally in both Germany (Dynamo Dresden and FC Kaiserslautern) and England (Bradford City, Middlesbrough and Chelsea), winning several trophies during his time at each club. Schwarzer is known for his accurate shots, as well as for having an aggressive and avant-garde approach to goalkeeping; he often sends crosses directly to the wingers, rather than sending them back to the centre .
Tim Howard
Howard is one of the first “player” goalkeepers to actively participate in matches. With an innate understanding of where the ball is going and impressive distribution ability, he makes incredible saves that seem almost impossible and wears his emotions on his sleeve to connect with fans and earn their admiration.
He holds the title of most-capped goalkeeper for the United States men’s national team, with 121 appearances, having had a significant impact on international tournaments, including both World Cups held between 2010 and 2014, where his team reached the round of 16.
Howard made 45 Premier League appearances in his first three seasons at Manchester United, but Everton proved to be where his talent truly shone. It was only in his second season there that he was honoured with selection in the PFA Team of the Year and ultimately finished as England’s best goalkeeper.
Howard has made nearly 200 appearances in Major League Soccer (MLS) over the course of his 18-year career, most recently with the Colorado Rapids. He is also currently a minority owner and sporting director of USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC and an international ambassador for former club Everton. Howard has won two goalkeeping awards and holds the record for most career shutouts (105). A native of North Brunswick Township, NJ, where he excelled in both soccer and basketball in high school,
James James
Goalkeeping in modern football is an extremely difficult and dangerous role. A single mistake could result in goals being conceded and costing his team a chance at victory; therefore, a goalkeeper must remain calm under pressure.
James James is no stranger to mental toughness; in fact, it comes naturally. A fierce competitor who will do whatever it takes to win games – from marking an opponent’s position to protecting his teammates – he has proven his worth time and time again.
James James stands out despite not possessing that much technical ability. His competitive spirit and dedication make him stand out. His heart is openly in plain sight as he is always looking for ways to improve himself.
Lev Yashin, an accomplished goalkeeper known for his extraordinary reflexes and impressive leadership qualities, is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. A tireless worker and leader, Lev was known for never letting his team down or letting them down.
As Manchester City fans have seen this season, Ederson may have left them somewhat disappointed with his shots. However, the Brazilian goalkeeper is more than that; his arsenal of skills includes making crucial saves when needed; as well as having a huge physique and powerful footwork; all of which contribute to his elevation to this spot on the list of great goalkeepers.
Joe Hart
At the age of 19, England goalkeeper Joe Hart made his Manchester City debut after month-long loan spells at Blackpool and Tranmere. He has since become City’s No. 1 goalkeeper, winning four Premier League Golden Gloves during his time there and earning 75 England caps throughout his career – as well as playing over 1,000 official matches in European competitions in total!
Hart may not enjoy the same fame as the likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he has managed to remain in the spotlight since leaving Manchester City five years ago. Although he has been inconsistent at times in his new career (notably his disastrous spell at Burnley last season), Hart has proven he remains an impressive goalkeeper.
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side have benefited greatly from Bounou since he joined from Tottenham Hotspur in a £1m deal this summer. He brings with him great strength and power as an unflappable presence who constantly communicates with defenders, while not being afraid to step out of the box and make plays. Bounou can truly serve as an inspirational leader in his team.
