Former Premier League star Shay Given has teamed up with BetStars to select his top seven goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Most notably, ahead of West Ham’s Carabao Cup game against Arsenal this evening, Given believes Joe Hart is still England’s number one keeper ahead of the World Cup in Russia next summer.
DAVID DE GEA
De Gea is an amazing goalkeeper. He is one of the best in the world, not just in the Premier League. Season after season he seems to be getting better and better. He is making saves using both of his feet as well as his hands! He makes things look easy. There was talk about him leaving in the summer to go to Real Madrid and even next summer, I think they’ll come back knocking on the door trying to get him away from Manchester United. He’s been United’s Player of the Season for the last number of seasons and he’s a fantastic goalkeeper.
EDERSON
Ederson was unknown to some people when he signed for Man City in the summer, but we all know now how good a goalkeeper he is! He can be the club’s long term option as he’s very young for a goalkeeper at 23. He’s got his best years ahead of him and his distribution is phenomenal. People talk about how good he is with his feet – short passes and long passes – but he’s good with his hands as well. He’s probably not been overly tested because Man City have been so dominant, but he adds composure and I’ve been very impressed with his all-round game
PETR CECH
Petr has been around for a long time now. I’ve played against him on numerous occasions and built up a friendship with him over the years. He’s still a fantastic goalkeeper, making some massive saves for Arsenal and I think he deserves a lot more credit as he’s still right up there at the top. I think he’ll play on for as long as he can, similar to myself. I know Petr, he’s a fantastic professional and he works ever so hard away from the pitch in the gym. He’ll play for a few good years yet!
JACK BUTLAND
I played with Jack Butland at Stoke and Joe Hart at Man City. I think both of them will be challenging for the number one England spot next year. Jack Butland’s a fantastic goalkeeper, he’s had a few injury problems this last couple of seasons but if he can get a full run of fitness I think he’ll be the England number one for many years, so it is a big decision for Southgate next summer, who will play – Butland or Hart.
JOE HART
Joe has come in for a bit of stick this year, but I think that’s to do with the team. West Ham are struggling a bit in the lower part of the league and I think Joe gets a lot of the grief. He’s still a fantastic goalkeeper, he’s still England’s number one goalkeeper and he will probably play next summer in Russia.
THIBAUT COURTOIS
Courtois is Belgium’s number one and the current goalkeeper of the Champions of England. He had a great season last year and he’s taken that on again to the next level. He is making some great saves and is a huge presence in goal with his size and stature.
HUGO LLORIS
He is very sharp off his line, very quick off his line, and very agile as well. The French captain, the Tottenham captain, what a fantastic goalkeeper and a leader of men.
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