Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has finally weighed in on the fierce debate of who is the best goalkeeper in the league but insisted it is a tight two-horse race.
The iconic shot-stopper made 388 appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering Red Devils, keeping 180 clean sheets in this time.
Known for his reflex saves and aggressive temperament, Schmeichel helped United to their first five Premier League titles, as well as three FA Cup trophies and a Champions League in the unprecedented treble-winning campaign of 1998-99.
The Dane retired 21 years ago but fans still value his opinion on matters football, in particular the discussion over who is the finest keeper in the land – Ederson or Alisson Becker.
And Schmeichel has nailed his colours to the mast, opting for the Man City man while explaining to the Stick to Football podcast that ‘only one thing’ separates the two Brazilians.
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has finally weighed in on the fierce debate of who is the best goalkeeper in the league
Schmeichel has nailed his colours to the mast, opting for Ederson for one main reason
For what it’s worth, the pair’s national side tends to disagree with the United icon. Alisson has made 70 caps for the Selecao with his adversary making just 25 appearances
He said: ‘Ederson is fantastic in terms of making big saves and 1v1 situations.
‘Alisson struggles a bit with his feet. There are a few mistakes that he would make that you don’t see from Ederson. That’s the only thing [separating them].
‘Ederson is the best keeper in the Premier League.’
The pair have ruled the roost in the top flight for half a decade with one of the two winning the title in each of the seasons since Ederson arrived at the Etihad in 2017.
For what it’s worth, their national side tends to disagree with the United icon. Alisson has made 70 caps for the Selecao with his adversary making just 25 appearances.
Schmeichel, however, thinks that their reign of supremacy may be reaching a close as a newer face continues his rise to the top.
‘David Raya is coming close now too. He has really impressed me.
‘Once he got established as Arsenal’s number one and that competition situation got out of the way and Aaron Ramsdale left, there was a different aura around him. He’s played well and has kept his team in a few games. He’s made some important saves.
‘He has also eradicated all those mistakes that he made from having to be a good footballer.
The goalkeeping icon added: ‘David Raya is coming close now too. He has really impressed me’
The shot-stopper made 388 appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson ‘s all-conquering Red Devils
Schmeichel (pictured, in green) helped United to their first five Premier League titles, as well as three FA Cup trophies and a Champions League
‘Raya’s mentality gives him that power and not a lot of keepers are doing that. What he does there, which is brilliant, is that he comes out in a period of the game where it’s fantastic and there is so many people in front of him.
‘When you come out, you’re looking at the ball and someone might run into him, plus the goal is empty. I don’t like the timewasting from him, but I thought he always keeps his team in it.’
It is extremely likely that one of the trio will be lifting the Premier League and if Raya’s heroic stops guide the Gunners to a first title in more than two decades, Schmeichel may have to re-assess his choice of the top man between the posts.