Even though the role of the goalkeepers are not as highly rated as that of attacking players, truth is that they are the last line of defence and can make the crucial difference between winning and losing a game! Each of these goalkeepers has the potential to be the difference between winning and losing this year’s World Cup! Let us look at a list of goalkeepers who have the potential to make the difference:
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
The Belgium team heading into this World Cup has been labelled as the ‘Golden generation’. This team is probably the best team in many years with excellent individual talents from attack to defence. Thibaut Courtois is part of the star-studded defence of Belgium. Courtois is specialized shot-stopper as opposed to a distributor, but distribution is not a problem area for Belgium, given the pool of talent to choose from. In 2011, he became the youngest keeper ever to start for Belgium. He also played in the 2014 World Cup but Belgium was eliminated by Argentina in the quarterfinals!
Thibaut Courtois was injured earlier in this season, but he helped his club Chelsea win the FA Cup and looked in fine shape, thus quelling any questions on his fitness!
Hugo Lloris (France)
Hugo Lloris will be captaining a France team in the World Cup, which might arguably be their best team in recent years, and are bookies favourite heading into the tournament. Lloris has firmly established himself as a sweeper keeper who can come off his line to the defence whenever his team is playing high tempo attacking football. He has been a part of the France team in their last two World Cup campaigns in 2010 and 2014 and might go on and make a hundred appearances for France by the end of this tournament. Lloris will be instrumental if France wins the World Cup this year.
David De Gea (Spain)
With Iker Casillas out of the Spain national team, Manchester United’s David De Gea will be the anchor for Spain in this World Cup campaign. David De Gea had joined Manchester United earlier in 2011 and has already established himself as the best goalkeeper in the world. He was instrumental in Manchester United winning the English Premier League in the year 2012-13. Such has been his performance that David De Gea has come out as the best player in the last few seasons at Manchester United. With David De Gea in goal, Spain has a very good chance of winning this World Cup.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
There is no doubting the German Sweeper-Keeper! At club level, he helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League in 2013 and helped Germany lift the last World Cup in 2014! He was also awarded the Golden Gloves in the 2014 World Cup when he helped his team to win over Argentina. However, Neuer has been out of action since September after he fractured his left foot! If he is absolutely fit heading into this World Cup that is not very good news for the attacking players from other countries competing in the tournament. It comes as great news to the Germany fans that Neuer is has been declared fit to play in the World Cup.
Alisson Becker (Brazil)
Alisson Becker is the new kid on the block. He plays for Roma and has already kept 15 clean sheets in Serie A. He also was instrumental to Roma’s success in the Champions League before Roma was defeated by Liverpool over the two legs in the semi-finals. Alisson stood between the sticks for Brazil throughout their qualifying campaign for the World Cup. He is the dark horse among goalkeepers going into the World Cup.
