Goalkeeper performance is often judged using very simple statistics such as clean sheets or save percentage. While these numbers are useful, they can also be misleading when viewed in isolation.
For example, goalkeepers playing behind dominant teams may face fewer shots, which can inflate their clean sheet totals. Meanwhile, goalkeepers at weaker teams may produce excellent performances despite conceding more goals simply because they face a much heavier workload.
To provide a fairer comparison, we created the GK Performance Index. This model combines several key goalkeeping statistics to produce a more balanced ranking of Premier League goalkeepers.
Premier League Goalkeeper Rankings (2025-26)
The table below ranks Premier League goalkeepers using the GK Performance Index, which combines save percentage, goals conceded per 90 minutes, shot volume and clean sheet rate into a single overall score.
| Rank | Goalkeeper | Team | TopGK Index | Save % | SoTA | GA/90 | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dean Henderson | Crystal Palace | 7.84 | 73.0 | 115 | 1.21 | 10 |
| 2 | Jordan Pickford | Everton | 7.69 | 70.8 | 113 | 1.17 | 10 |
| 3 | Robin Roefs | Sunderland | 7.59 | 72.2 | 115 | 1.21 | 8 |
| 4 | Djordje Petrovic | Bournemouth | 7.58 | 68.2 | 132 | 1.53 | 9 |
| 5 | Bart Verbruggen | Brighton | 7.43 | 72.3 | 112 | 1.20 | 7 |
| 6 | Gianluigi Donnarumma | Manchester City | 7.36 | 72.1 | 86 | 0.89 | 11 |
| 7 | David Raya | Arsenal | 7.36 | 69.4 | 72 | 0.71 | 15 |
| 8 | Robert Sanchez | Chelsea | 7.35 | 70.1 | 107 | 1.22 | 9 |
| 9 | Martin Dubravka | Burnley | 7.29 | 67.1 | 161 | 1.93 | 4 |
| 10 | Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa | 7.21 | 71.8 | 103 | 1.14 | 7 |
| 11 | Guglielmo Vicario | Tottenham Hotspur | 6.88 | 63.7 | 124 | 1.57 | 7 |
| 12 | Caoimhin Kelleher | Brentford | 6.76 | 67.3 | 101 | 1.32 | 7 |
| 13 | Bernd Leno | Fulham | 6.70 | 64.6 | 113 | 1.43 | 6 |
| 14 | Nick Pope | Newcastle United | 6.64 | 69.1 | 97 | 1.46 | 7 |
| 15 | Alisson | Liverpool | 6.47 | 66.7 | 84 | 1.20 | 8 |
| 16 | Matz Sels | Nottingham Forest | 6.32 | 70.0 | 90 | 1.43 | 5 |
| 17 | Senne Lammens | Manchester United | 6.04 | 66.7 | 81 | 1.25 | 5 |
| 18 | Alphonse Areola | West Ham United | 5.97 | 70.4 | 108 | 1.85 | 0 |
| 19 | Jose Sa | Wolves | 5.44 | 65.3 | 75 | 1.56 | 4 |
| 20 | Karl Darlow | Leeds United | 4.70 | 66.7 | 51 | 1.36 | 2 |
Stat definitions: Save % (shots on target saved), SoTA (shots on target against), GA/90 (goals conceded per 90 minutes), CS (clean sheets).
Key Goalkeeping Insights
- Dean Henderson leads the rankings thanks to an excellent blend of save percentage and heavy shot volume.
- Jordan Pickford continues to score strongly, combining consistent shot stopping with a demanding workload for Everton.
- David Raya has the best GA/90 figure in the table, reflecting both his own reliability and Arsenal’s defensive strength.
- Martin Dúbravka faces the heaviest workload, dealing with more shots on target than any other goalkeeper in the league.
- Bart Verbruggen stands out as one of the league’s most efficient shot stoppers, posting one of the strongest save percentages in the rankings.
How the GK Performance Index Works
The GK Performance Index evaluates goalkeepers using four key performance indicators. Each metric is converted to a standardised score and combined to produce a final index value.
- Save Percentage (50%) – Measures a goalkeeper’s ability to stop shots on target. This is the most direct indicator of shot-stopping performance.
- Goals Conceded per 90 Minutes (25%) – Reflects match outcomes while accounting for differences in playing time.
- Shots on Target Against (15%) – Rewards goalkeepers who perform well despite facing a heavier workload.
- Clean Sheet Percentage (10%) – Recognises the ability to keep opponents from scoring, while still acknowledging the influence of team strength.
Each category is normalised across the league to create a score out of 10. The weighted scores are then combined to produce the final GK Performance Index.
Why This Approach Is More Balanced
Many traditional goalkeeper rankings rely heavily on clean sheets or goals conceded. However, these statistics are strongly influenced by team strength. A goalkeeper playing behind a dominant defence will usually face fewer shots and fewer difficult situations than one playing behind a weaker back line.
The GK Performance Index aims to provide a more balanced comparison by including both save efficiency and shot volume, rather than simply assuming that the goalkeeper on the strongest team is performing best.
By combining multiple metrics instead of relying on a single headline number, the model offers a broader view of goalkeeper performance across the Premier League.
Statistics sourced from FBref.com and updated monthly.