Champions League 2019/20: 5 Players who could win the golden glove as the Champions League kicks off from Tuesday.
2019/20 Champions League is set to kick off from September 17. Europe’s most celebrated tournament has treated the fans with overwhelming entertainment over the years. World Cup’s are all great, but the European tournament is whole different gravy – enticing millions of watch as some of the world’s best sides go head-to-head with their club colours.
The perception of the fans is slanting towards every department these days. Attackers were racking up awards in gala’s previously, but defender Virgil Van Dijk won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year and made the defenders and goalkeepers believe that they could get their hands on the award if they perform consistently over twelve months.
Similar to goalscoring, goal prevention plays a huge part in the game of football. There are many celebrated goalkeepers, who have been at their best over the last few years.
As we discuss the goalkeepers, we shall look at the five shot-stoppers who could lift the Champions League golden glove in the upcoming season.
#5 Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer has been at his best this season. The German International has not been able to prevent the goals which were conceded due to lack of chance. Bayern Skipper has kept one clean sheet from four games this season.
The Bavarians have strengthened their backline with the acquisition of Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez. The duo are yet to start games on a consistent basis, but they are anticipated to do the same in the coming days. The German outfit are also placed in an easy group consisting of Tottenham Hotspur, Red Star Belgrade, and Olympiacos.
Since the German side are well drilled in the midfielder department, meaning that they would be able to cut down threats in the defensive part of their game. They kept a grand total of four clean sheets out of eight games in the Champions League last season, including one against the reigning Champions Liverpool in the Round of 16 first leg. Should the German side enter the latter stages of the tournament, Neuer could be one of the front runners for the Champions League golden glove award.
#4 Ederson Moraes (Manchester City)
Manchester City have kept two clean sheets out of five Premier League games this season. The Citizens are yet to be astute in the defense department this season following a horrendous game which they lost 3-2 to the recently promoted side Norwich City.
The English side have crossed no more than Quarterfinals in the Champions League under the management of Pep Guardiola. They were eliminated by Monaco, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur in their previous three seasons. It is mainly down to the mismanagement of Pep Guardiola, who is not flexible enough to stop their opponents in the European competition.
The injury to Aymeric Laporte will force the Spaniard to change his route. Since Manchester City are placed in an easiest group of them, their ability to keep possession will frustrate their opponents. This increases the chances of keeping cleansheets. As for the knockouts, the French centre-back will return.
#3 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
Jan Oblak is one of the finest goalkeepers over the last few years. The Slovenian is expected to return to his duty when they take on Juventus at Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
Oblak is a terrific shot-stopper and has performances to back up his claim. The 26-year-old kept four clean sheets out of eight games in the Champions League last season and could add more because of the reinforcement in the summer window. He kicked off his season brightly by preventing the ball sneak into the back of the net on two occasions from four La Liga appearances this season.
It will be an interesting season for Los Rojiblancos, who are currently in a rebuilding phase after the departure of several stars in the summer window. Despite their exits, Diego Simeone deploys defensive football, enhancing Oblak’s chances of keeping clean sheets.
#2 Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Alisson Becker is currently working on his fitness after suffering a calf injury in the opening day of the Premier League this season. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the Brazilian would be available only after the next international break in October. As a result, the former Roma shot-stopper will miss the clashes against Napoli and Red Bull Salzburg.
Alisson Becker could face Genk in the away game post-international break in October. The Reds have kept just one clean sheet in all competitions thus far and Alisson’s absence is clearly viable. Even though Adrian cannot be blamed apart from the blunder against Southampton, the Spaniard looks miles off his teammate. It’s mainly down to the footwork and decision, where Alisson Becker beats other goalkeepers in the world.
The shot-stopper has one of the best defences in the world. Despite lying over the possibility of missing two games, Alisson Becker, who kept six clean sheets to claim the Champions League golden glove, is a strong contender.
#1 Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen made silly mistakes during his early days at Nou Camp. Over the last two years, the German International has eclipsed to become one of the best in the world. Arguably, the best La Liga shot-stopper currently, the former Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper kept six clean sheets in last Champions League campaign.
The Blaugrana are yet to keep a clean sheet in the La Liga following shaky defensive displays. The ageing Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, and slow pacers Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti have struggled to take the matter into their own hands. But, his shot-stopping has kept Barcelona alive in some games – coming as a huge boost for Ernesto Valverde.
Despite being placed in a tough group consisting of Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and Slavia Praha, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is the front-runner for the golden glove award this season.
