All Time Premier League XI - Goalkeeper (no.1)

A friend recently pointed me in the direction of an online forum (http://www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/) where members are discussing the all-time Premier League XI. Concluding each positions' debate is a vote, and the winning player is elected into the team. This has inspired me to create my own all time Premier League XI. First things first, a goalkeeper.

For me, there are a number of Premier League goalkeepers that immediately stand out. David Seaman enjoyed several years at the top, in an Arsenal defence renowned for not giving anything away, and kept the England no.1 shirt for nearly a decade. Seaman won the Premier League twice with Arsenal, and the FA Cup three times in the same period.

Petr Cech is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. When Cech arrived in England, nobody really knew much about him, but he has helped stabilise a Chelsea defence, and developed his reputation thoroughly to the extent that even with Cudicini as a reserve, it is a huge concern when Cech is out of the side. Cech has won the Premier League twice, the League Cup twice, the FA Cup once... and a specially commended Barclays Golden Glove Award for a record 25 Premier League clean sheets.

However, as succesful as these two have been, one other goalkeeper stands head and shoulders above, and that man is Peter Schmeichel. Firstly, for all the clean sheets and records that Seaman and Cech delivered, they have performed in sides intent on defending well and sneaking the odd goal. Schmeichel performed as admirably, but in a side intent on attacking football. Schmeichel himself played a major role in the team going forward, sparking counter-attack after counter-attack with his quick thinking and long throws. Schmeichel occasionally made an impact in the opposition penalty area too, scoring for Manchester United and Aston Villa, and being involved in the infamous Sheringham equaliser in the 1999 Uefa Champions League Final.

What Schmeichel also has over Seaman and Cech is longevity. Seaman perhaps stayed on too long, with high profile errors against Brazil and Macedonia, before an indifferent season with Manchester City. Cech only has a handful of seasons, and therefore trophies under his belt, and although he managed to return from a fractured skull his consistency over a prolonged career has not been tested. However Schmeichel completed 8 seasons with Manchester United before leaving at the peak of winning the Champions League, he then went on to complete full seasons with Sporting Lisbon, Aston Villa and Manchester City, never looking like a faded talent.

And to further prove his Premier League legacy, he then spawned an excellent goalkeeping talent in Kasper Schmeichel, who followed in his father's footsteps at Manchester City.

On-Football's All Time Premier League XI Goalkeeper is Peter Schmeichel.