Top 5 Goalkeepers to Watch at 2018 World Cup

Being a goalkeeper can be the toughest job in the world. Just ask Loris Karius.

The German glovesman suffered a pair of horrendous blunders in the Champions League final which cost his team dearly in the end in Kiev. Always under a great scrutiny and under constant watch from the public eye, goalkeepers are often left detached from the rest of their team.

Celebrated for little, blamed for a lot these brave men are often at the end of the whiplash.

Heading into the World Cup and with Loris Karius in their minds, the 32 goalkeepers defending the honour of their respective nations will be especially careful not to suffer the same faith as the Liverpool goalie.

Continuing the series of our World Cup specials, SoccerNews.com is presenting the ultimate list of top 5 goalkeepers you need to keep your eye on during the 2018 World Cup.

Alisson Becker

AS Roma shot stopper is seen as a possible replacement for aforementioned Loris Karius.

The Brazilian has been a shining light for Giallorossi last season and arguably the most influential member of the team. Fifteen clean sheets in 34 Serie A appearance are enough of an evidence to support such a claim. Remarkable reflexed and the ability to read play turned him into a world-class custodian during his second season in Rome. Alisson’s flying form for one of Italy’s greatest teams has made him one of the most reliable – and sought after – goalkeepers in the world.

The World Cup favourites Brazil will have a tough choice to make as Tite is forced to choose between Alisson and another in-form goalkeeper – Manchester City’s Ederson.

Manuel Neuer

One of the world’s best goalkeeper has endured a difficult season. With less than a month until World Cup in Russia, the Bayern Munich custodian faces a fitness test as he makes a long-awaited return from injury in a friendly against Austria on Saturday.

Die Mannschaft travel to their neighbours on the back of an 8/15 price to emerge victorious and it will up to Manuel Neuer to help them achieve this goal.

The 32-year-old glovesman has not played a single minute of competitive football since September when he broke his foot. The Germany captain was nevertheless included in Joachim Low’s provisional squad and will be given a chance to prove his fitness ahead of Russia.

With him in goal Germany are a completely different team.

David De Gea

A firm Golden Glove Award candidate, David De Gea is one of the most consistent performers on this list.

The Spaniard’s season at Manchester United was capped by the Premier League Golden Glove accolade and his club’s Player of the Year award which act as enough of a proof of De Gea’s importance and value. The total of 18 clean sheets during the 2017/18 season and another 14 in 27 appearances for Spain make his a proper force in goal and an impenetrable wall behind the Spanish backline.

La Roja are expected to mount a serious World Cup challenge and with a goalkeeper such as De Gea in goal, they will be given a significant push in the back knowing there’s someone like Dave keeping them safe.

Jordan Pickford

With Joe Hart out of the picture, it’s up to Jordan Pickford – but also Nick Pope, Jack Butland and Fraser Forster – to defend the nation’s honour in Russia.

The 24-year-old Everton custodian who joined the Goodison-based club from Sunderland in a £25 million deal struggled to gain his footing at first but went on to put in a string of dominant Everton displays and emerge as one of the most prominent performers in otherwise below-par Evertonian side.

Pickford is expected to use his composure and maturity – despite being in a tender age for a goalkeeper – to establish himself as England’s first-choice custodian in Russia and in many years to come.

Thibaut Courtois

Simon Mignolet’s downfall during the second part of the 2017/18 season made life easier for Chelsea custodian Thibaut Courtois.

The 26-year-old shot stopper is expected to keep firm hold of the No.1 spot for Belgium. A look back at the previous World Cup in Brazil will remind us that Courtois started all games for his national team on their road to the quarterfinals.

The Chelsea star has enjoyed a fine form for Blues and is expected to be one of those ‘keepers who could make a real difference for his team. Standing tall at 1.99m, the Belgium custodian in a force to be reckoned with. His quick reflexes and commendable concentration, along with impressive athletic abilities will make rivals work hard to put the ball past him.