The 3 best Goalkeepers in the Premier League this season

A goalkeeper can be the most rewarding, yet most tiring of positions in equal measure. A man between the sticks can be called upon at any minute during an encounter, meaning the concentration levels of a shotstopper have to be of the highest standard.

If you pull off a stunning save, the player in question is lauded by fans and pundits alike. However, one mistake and it could be the difference between three points and none. The testing element of any goalkeeper is ensuring not to remain disheartened from any blunder, but possessing the mental strength to remain on ones toes during 90 minutes.

There haven't been many particular stand out candidates for the three best goalkeepers in the Premiership this season, but those that have made the cut have been solely responsible for the seeing their side pick up points at home and on the road this season and it's no shock to see them lauded for their exploits.

Asmir Begovic – Stoke City

Needless to say, it isn't a surprise to see the Bosnia and Herzegovina number one emerge in first place on the list. The 25-year-old has been in superb form for Stoke City this season and it's seen a number of the Premier League's top teams show an interest in the former Portsmouth ace, such have been his performances this season.

The Potters may've conceded 10 goals in their last three domestic encounters against Southampton, Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, but prior to the run of poor results, Begovic was the cornerstone of a defence that had become one of the tightest in Europe.

Having kept nine clean sheets already this season, he's contributed significantly to Stoke's push up the table and it isn't a surprise to see them currently sitting pretty in 10^th place. Tony Pulis' side, it can be argued, are lucky to have a player of his calibre in the squad, with the goalkeeper expected to sign for Tottenham Hotspur back in February 2010, only for Begovic to sign a four-and-a-half year deal at the Britannia Stadium.

Simon Mignolet – Sunderland

Belgium is an absolute hotbed of talent at the moment. The number of internationals gracing the Premiership this season is astonishing and it would be no shock to see them dominate world football over the coming months. Like any good team, however, you need a strong spine to succeed and this shotstopper provides just that. 

With Simon Mignolet, Sunderland and the Belgian national side have a goalkeeper in their possession that can rightfully be classed as the number one. The Black Cats may be languishing at the wrong end of the table, but without the exploits of the 24-year-old; it could well be a hell of a lot worse for Martin O'Neill's side.

For a team currently in placed 14^th in the league, any goalkeeper that has managed to keep seven clean sheets is an impressive feat, with three of those coming in the last seven games. Without the exploits of Mignolet, it's fair to say Sunderland would be in a worse position than they currently find themselves.

Julio Cesar – Queen's Park Rangers

QPR may be languishing at the foot of the table having conceded 36 goals to date, but it's a testament to the capabilities of Julio Cesar that the R's have mustered as many as 14 points this season.

Signing from Inter Milan over the summer, a move that left many pondering why he would swap the glitz and glamour of the San Siro for Loftus Road, with the Brazilian confessing that he wants to help the R's break into the top four.

However, he'll have to help his team stave off the threat of relegation first and foremost, but it's due to his exploits in between the sticks this year that QPR aren't effectively Championship bound already with a much higher figure in the goals conceded column.  

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