When discussions arise about the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League, one name that almost always appears is David Seaman. The former Arsenal F.C. and England national football team goalkeeper is widely regarded as one of the finest shot-stoppers his country has produced, with only a few coming close to matching the standards he set during his career.
Among his most unforgettable achievements are his league title triumphs and his astonishing save against Sheffield United F.C. in the FA Cup late in his career. Yet despite his legendary status, when Seaman was asked to name his top five goalkeepers in English top-flight history, he surprisingly left himself out of the list.
Instead, he highlighted five other names — making a particularly interesting choice when ranking Brazilian duo Alisson Becker and Ederson Moraes among the league’s greatest keepers.
One of the goalkeepers Seaman praised was David de Gea. Although the Spaniard’s final period with Manchester United F.C. somewhat damaged how some fans remember his time at the club, it shouldn’t overshadow the fact that he often carried the team through difficult spells. De Gea won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award four times and claimed two Premier League Golden Gloves. Known for his lightning-fast reflexes and spectacular saves, he regularly rescued United from defeat. Critics often pointed to weaknesses in his distribution, and as mistakes crept into his game, his form dipped. Now playing for ACF Fiorentina, De Gea may no longer be viewed among the absolute elite, but he has worked hard to rebuild his reputation.
Even though Alisson Becker is widely considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Seaman only ranked the Liverpool F.C. star fourth. The Brazilian arrived at Anfield to replace Loris Karius following the German’s disastrous performance in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final. Since then, Alisson has become a key figure in Liverpool’s success, with injuries being the only real setbacks during his time in England. Despite admiring him, Seaman admitted he actually preferred another Brazilian goalkeeper.
That player is Ederson Moraes, who spent eight seasons at Manchester City F.C. before leaving in 2025. During his time at the Etihad Stadium, Ederson won six Premier League titles and played a crucial role in the club’s dominance under Pep Guardiola. Seaman praised his calm style and technical ability, highlighting his composure, shot-stopping, and exceptional left foot as key qualities that made him stand out.
Just missing out on the top spot in Seaman’s ranking was the legendary Petr Čech. Best known for his incredible years with Chelsea F.C., Čech helped redefine goalkeeping in English football as part of the famously solid defence built by José Mourinho. Even after that dominant era, the Czech star remained one of the league’s best for many years, later enjoying a successful spell with Arsenal F.C., where he secured his third and final Golden Glove.
At the top of Seaman’s list sits Peter Schmeichel. Despite being rivals during their playing days, Seaman had no hesitation in naming the Danish legend as his number one. Schmeichel is widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in the history of Manchester United F.C.. His dominance in the penalty area, remarkable athleticism, quick reactions, and trademark long throws made him a key figure in United’s dominance throughout the 1990s, including their historic treble triumph. Beyond club football, Schmeichel also played a vital role in Denmark national football team’s unforgettable victory at the UEFA Euro 1992 — another example of his extraordinary legacy
