Last year, Petr Cech received the Golden Glove for earning the most clean sheets in the Premier League (16), but according to statistics and ratings, Heurelho Gomes was the unlikely goalkeeper of the season. Premier League 2016 should be different in many ways, especially in the rankings at the top of the league, with Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois expected to bounce back from a poor season and David De Gea of Manchester United also likely to be enjoying clean sheets with new manager Jose Mourinho around.
The following list doesn’t exactly reflect what we saw last season; however, it’s hard to imagine many goalkeepers enjoying a better Premier League 2016 season than these five.
Hugo Lloris
The Tottenham and France captain had an excellent season but failed to win a trophy, narrowly missing out on the Premier League 2016 and Euro 2016.
Spurs were tight at the back and conceded the fewest goals in the league (35). Belgium’s defensive duo of Alderweireld and Vertonghen proved rock-solid in Lloris’s command and recorded 13 clean sheets.
The Frenchman appeared in 37 games and made 87 saves in the Premier League last year, and we can expect another good term from him this time.
Petr Cech
Cech had a fantastic season and deservedly won the Golden Glove award for the first time since the 2009/10 campaign last year. The former Chelsea man was beaten only 31 times in 34 games and recorded the league’s best 16 clean sheets, making 98 saves.
Unless Wenger brings in a world-class defender, it will be tough for Cech to defend his title.
Thibaut Courtois
Courtois had a forgettable and horrific season last year, including injuries and two red cards. Chelsea also suffered the worst title defence in Premier League history. With Antonio Conte as the new manager, though, there is optimism around South West London that their defence will drastically improve.
The new system and Conte’s reputation as a fantastic tactician could well mean that Chelsea will concede fewer goals this season, and the Belgian keeper should easily surpass the miserable five clean sheets he recorded last year.
Joe Hart
Pep Guardiola’s arrival will change everything in and around Manchester City, and anything but a title challenge and top 3 finish will be disappointing for the Citizens.
Hart had a good season but made some inexplicable mistakes, a couple of which we saw at the Euros with England.
Hart conceded 36 goals in 35 games, the highest number of goals against him in the last six seasons. Pep knows how to get the most out of the players, and Hart will hope he is given a chance to impress under the new boss.
David De Gea
De Gea made plenty of memorable saves for Manchester United and Spain last year. With Jose Mourinho now at the helm at Manchester United, he is the favorite to win the Golden Glove award for the first time in his career in England.
Mourinho is famous for his defensive tactics and could quickly improve De Gea’s record of 33 goals conceded in 34 matches.
After being just one clean sheet behind winner Petr Cech last season, De Gea looks set to sweep the crown in this campaign.