My heroes
My number one is David Raya, but there are loads of amazing keepers I learn from — modern stars, Premier League heroes and proper legends.
Arsenal's goalkeeper and a Premier League Golden Glove winner. Here's what I try to copy from his game.
Raya starts high up the pitch so he can race out and clear danger before an attacker gets there. Watch where he stands when Arsenal have the ball — he's almost on the edge of the box.
Try it: when the ball is in the other half, step up to the penalty spot and stay on your toes.
He is famous for being calm with the ball at his feet and picking clever passes — short to a defender, or a long ball over the top when the press comes.
Try it: practise passing with both feet against a wall, 50 each side.
Just before the shot, Raya gets small and balanced: feet apart, knees bent, hands up and ready. Never flat-footed.
Try it: shout "SET!" to yourself every time an attacker looks up.
He studies penalty takers and stays huge and still until the very last moment — then explodes across the goal.
Try it: stay on your line, don't dive early, watch the standing foot.
"Be brave, be calm, and always be ready for the second ball."
— what I remind myself before every game
Keepers from these shores who showed how brave and brilliant a British No.1 can be.
Crystal Palace · Leeds United · Everton · England
One of the most underrated keepers ever. In 1989 he became Britain's first £1 million goalkeeper, and he kept playing brilliantly right into his late 30s at Everton. Fans always talk about how safe and reliable he was.
What I learn: you don't need to be flashy. Being calm, consistent and always in the right place is what makes defenders trust you.
Arsenal · England
An Arsenal legend before Raya. Famous for his ponytail, his safe hands and an unbelievable back-pedalling save against Sheffield United in 2003.
What I learn: never give up on a ball, even when it looks like it's going in.
Leicester City · Stoke City · England
England's World Cup winner in 1966, and the man who made "the save of the century" against Pelé at the 1970 World Cup.
What I learn: get low, get across, and always trust your hands.
Manchester United · England Lionesses
A World Cup penalty saver and a two-time winner of FIFA's best goalkeeper award. Loud, brave and a brilliant leader of her defence.
What I learn: confidence is a skill — you can practise it.
The greatest goalkeepers the world has ever seen.
Juventus · Italy
A World Cup winner in 2006 who played top-level football into his 40s. Amazing positioning meant he hardly ever had to dive.
What I learn: good positioning turns hard saves into easy ones.
Dynamo Moscow · Soviet Union
"The Black Spider" — the only goalkeeper ever to win the Ballon d'Or. He invented modern keeping by rushing off his line and punching crosses.
What I learn: command your box and own the space in front of you.
Manchester United · Denmark
Huge, loud and famous for the "star jump" — arms and legs spread out to block 1v1 shots. Won the treble in 1999.
What I learn: make yourself as big as possible in a 1v1.
Bayern Munich · Germany
The keeper who made "sweeper keeper" famous at the 2014 World Cup, defending almost like an extra centre-back.
What I learn: read the game early so you can start the save before the pass arrives.
Real Madrid · Spain
Called "San Iker" (Saint Iker) for his lightning reflexes. His last-second leg save in the 2010 World Cup final won Spain the trophy.
What I learn: use every part of you — hands, feet, legs — to keep it out.
Liverpool · Brazil
Brilliant with his feet, brave in the box — and he even scored a header in the last minute for Liverpool once!
What I learn: keepers are footballers too. Practise your passing.
Chelsea · Arsenal · Czech Republic
Holder of the record for Premier League clean sheets. He came back from a serious head injury and played on wearing his famous helmet.
What I learn: be brave, but always look after your body.
Manchester City · Brazil
Probably the best passer of a ball any goalkeeper has ever been. He can drop a 60-yard pass onto a striker's chest.
What I learn: a great pass can start a goal. Practise long kicks with a target.
Italy
Enormous, calm and a penalty shootout specialist — he won Italy the Euros in 2021 with his saves.
What I learn: being big and still makes the goal look tiny to a penalty taker.
Real Madrid · Belgium
At 6ft 7in he covers the goal like nobody else. His Champions League final performance in 2022 was one of the greatest ever.
What I learn: stay tall and let the ball hit you — don't collapse too early.
Chelsea · England Lionesses
Fearless in one-on-ones and superb with the ball at her feet. She saved penalties on the way to England's Euro 2025 win.
What I learn: back yourself in the big moments.
Every keeper on this page does something I want in my own game.