Joe Hart is favourite to win his fourth consecutive golden gloves but will someone else beat him to it? Manchester United and Chelsea goalkeepers will be the favourites, but what about Tottenham and Liverpool challengers?
Strikers get recognised for their contribution on the field for the amount of goals they score, with the leading scorer rewarded with the golden boot at the end of the season.
For goalkeepers it’s a bit different with them being measured on the saves they make and the clean sheets they keep, so here is a look at the main contenders for this season’s golden gloves.
Joe Hart: Manchester City’s number one managed to keep 17 clean sheets last season as they came up short in the defence of their Premier League title and is favourite to win a fourth consecutive golden gloves prize this season under City’s new management.
David De Gea: He has had his fair share of criticism since arriving at Manchester United two years ago, but with those years under his belt, it is expected that David Moyes will not chop and change his goalkeepers as often as Sir Alex Ferguson. With a bit more experience with his back line and more appearances, along with Moyes’ solid defensive structure, De Gea stands a better opportunity of being the best stopper in the league.
Petr Cech: Twice a golden glove winner, Petr Cech has been Mr. Reliable for Chelsea since his arrival nine years ago. In his first season under Jose Mourinho he kept 21 clean sheets and set a new Premier League record for length of time without conceding a goal.
Simon Mignolet: There are big shoes to fill for Liverpool’s new number one since arriving from Sunderland as he takes over from three time golden glove winner, Pepe Reina. Liverpool haven’t conceded a goal in their pre-season matches with Mignolet between the sticks and similar form in the league this season will do his chances no harm.
Hugo Lloris: He had an impressive first season as a few eyebrows were raised over him replacing Brad Friedel, though he looked a very solid and capable goalkeeper in his first season at White Hart Lane, though Spurs’ style of play could leave him a bit busy.
Asmir Begovic: If Tony Pulis was still the manager at Stoke City, 40/1 would be a very reasonable bet given the start he had to last season. Though this term, we don’t yet know how Stoke’s defensive unit will adapt to Mark Hughes’ way of playing.
Wojiech Szczesny: Arsenal had the second best defence in the league last season in terms of goals conceded, meaning that the Gunners’ stopper has a chance of a few clean sheets this season if Arsenal continue that kind of form – especially if they can have a longer run of clean sheets than their three at the start of the last campaign.
Who do you think will be the Premier League’s top goalkeeper?
image: © illarterate
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