The Premier League boasts a rich history of exceptional goalkeepers, with legends like Peter Schmeichel, Petr Cech, Edwin van der Sar, David Seaman, and Jens Lehmann gracing its pitches. However, the 2023/24 season introduces a new era of remarkable goalkeeping talent, setting the stage for intense competition among shot-stoppers.
Manchester City’s Ederson, Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, and Manchester United’s Andre Onana are some of the finest goalkeepers globally. However, their rankings among the Premier League’s most valuable shot-stoppers depend on various factors such as performance, consistency, and market value.
In this week’s edition of BusinessDay Business of Sports, we take a look at ten goalkeepers in the English Premier League with the highest money valuation using data from Transfermarkt.
Andre Onana
Club: Manchester United
Valuation: €40 million
Manchester United made a significant investment of £43.8 million to secure the services of Andre Onana from Inter Milan as a replacement for David de Gea. The Cameroon international played a crucial role in Inter Milan’s journey to the Champions League final in the previous season. Despite a shaky start at Old Trafford, Onana’s potential remains undeniable, with his agility and reflexes promising to strengthen Manchester United’s defensive line.
Ederson
Club: Manchester City
Valuation: €40 million
Since his acquisition from Benfica in 2017, Ederson has played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s success under Pep Guardiola. With five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and a Champions League triumph under his belt, Ederson has been instrumental in the club’s success during his tenure at the Etihad Stadium. Known for his remarkable distribution and shot-stopping abilities, Ederson’s consistency has been crucial in Manchester City’s recent successes, making him a vital asset for the team.
Guglielmo Vicario
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Valuation: €35 million
In the summer of 2023, Tottenham decided to replace long-standing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who had faced criticism for his poor performances and the club signed Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli. Since making his debut away to Brentford in August last year, the 27-year-old Italian goalie has quickly made a name for himself with solid performances and impressive shot-stopping skills, proving to be a valuable addition to Tottenham’s squad.
David Raya
Club: Arsenal
Valuation: €35 million
Raya’s precise distribution and excellent shot-stopping have earned him praise at Arsenal, where he has seamlessly transitioned into the first-choice goalkeeper role.
Alisson Becker
Club: Liverpool
Valuation: €32 million
Following Liverpool’s defeat in the 2018 Champions League final, Jurgen Klopp made a significant move by signing Alisson Becker to elevate the club’s performance. The Brazilian international proved instrumental in Liverpool’s subsequent triumphs, clinching the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020. With his commanding presence and exceptional shot-stopping abilities, Alisson has been instrumental in Liverpool’s defensive solidity, earning recognition as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Emiliano Martinez
Club: Aston Villa
Valuation: €28 million
Having clinched the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, Emiliano Martinez’s journey to becoming one of the world’s top goalkeepers began with a breakthrough at Arsenal in 2020. His rise came as a result of Bernd Leno’s injury, which opened the door for Martinez to showcase his talent. Following his impressive stint at Arsenal, Martinez made a move to Aston Villa in the same year.
Since joining Aston Villa, Martinez has maintained his stellar form, consistently proving his worth between the sticks. In the 2023/2024 season, he has been instrumental in driving Unai Emery’s squad towards qualification for the Champions League next season
Robert Sanchez
Club: Chelsea
Valuation: €25 million
Following his displacement from Brighton’s starting line-up by Jason Steele last season, Robert Sanchez secured a £20 million transfer to Chelsea in the summer. His move came after the departures of Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga, positioning Sanchez as Chelsea’s new primary goalkeeper.
Sanchez’s agile reflexes and commanding presence have bolstered Chelsea’s defence, making him a reliable last line of defence for the Blues.
Jordan Pickford
Club: Everton
Valuation: €22 million
Establishing himself as England’s primary goalkeeper under Gareth Southgate, Jordan Pickford transferred to Everton in 2017 following Sunderland’s relegation to the Championship. Despite occasional criticism, Pickford’s shot-stopping abilities and leadership qualities make him a vital asset for Everton, anchoring their defence with confidence.
Nick Pope
Club: Newcastle United
Valuation: €20 million
Nick Pope emerged as one of the standout signings of the 2022/23 season. Newcastle United made the astute decision to acquire the former Burnley goalkeeper during the 2022 summer transfer window, a move that proved immensely successful. Pope seamlessly filled the goalkeeping void for the Magpies and swiftly became a fan favourite. In his debut season, the 31-year-old featured in 37 league matches, an impressive feat that contributed to Newcastle’s joint-best defensive record in the Premier League. Pope’s remarkable performances have solidified Newcastle United’s defence, showcasing his ability to keep clean sheets and command his area effectively.
Jose Sa
Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Valuation: €16 million
Sa’s consistent performances and reliability have contributed to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ defensive stability, establishing him as a dependable presence in goal for the team.
