Goalkeepers can keep their heads even while everything in front of them is disintegrating. A tremendous stopper can be the difference between a hard-earned point and bitter defeat, the difference between holding on for a vital win and dropping two massive points against a rival. They act almost entirely separately to the rest of the team, and in that sense, they're unique. Your 10 outfield players may suffering some major trauma across the field, but quality goalkeepers are prone to putting in some stellar performances to keep the score down, and in some cases, turn maulings into stunning, scrappy victories. Goalkeepers tend to peak a lot later than most players, with the 30-year-old milestone not signalling any sort of decline. This makes it tough to snap up raw wonderkids, and while they do exist, sometimes it's far better to go straight for more established keepers with a decade left between the sticks. Here are 20 shot-stoppers you need to pick up.
20. Bingourou Kamara
Starting with a trio of youngsters, it's always worth snapping up a top starlet as a third keeper, happy to be benched in the need should arise, with most clubs lacking a quality U21 keeper. Bingourou Kamara is only 18, he's fairly inexpensive to sign and his wages will be minimal. You shouldn't expect to use him for a few years, but let him develop, let him grow on the back-burner and one day he will become a quality goalkeeper worthy of staking a claim between the sticks of top sides.
What Culture contributor. NCTJ accredited Sports Journalist. Regret-filled Sunderland AFC season ticket holder. Optimism-filled NFL fan. Lover of all things Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead & more.
