Top 5 young goalkeepers to keep an eye out for in 2021

With the year coming to an end, we take a look at five goalkeepers who are on the path to become the next sensation in the world of football.

Although 2020 was an atypical year, football continued to be our companion throughout most of the year. Several stars are rising and here’s who we believe is worth following in the upcoming year.

5. Alban Lafont – FC Nantes

The 21-year-old French goalkeeper is on a two-season loan at Nantes from Fiorentina. Two seasons ago, at the tender age of 19, Lafont played 38 matches for La Viola. However, his great saves were outshined by a few high-profile mistakes. Nevertheless, Lafont has plenty of time to mature as a player and provide more regular performances. We can’t deny the amount of talent the youngster possesses or his enormous potential.

4. Bartlomiej Dragowski – ACF Fiorentina

The 23-year-old Polish goalkeeper earned fourth place on the list after taking Lafont’s place at La Viola. Dragowski has completed 14 matches with the Italian club after a successful season with Empoli. The player has impressive reflexes for his size (1,91m) and his long arms make it difficult to score when he’s in goal.

3. Dean Henderson – Manchester United

This is perhaps the better-known entry on the list. The 23-year-old goalkeeper had a fantastic season on loan at Sheffield United and returned to the Red Devils ready to dethrone David De Gea. The English youngster has made seven appearances for Man Utd this season and kept a clean sheet on three occasions. Although he may end up being loaned out again, Henderson is the perfect alternative for an inconsistent De Gea.

2. Alex Meret – SSC Napoli

The 23-year-old Italian has been dubbed the ‘new Buffon’, which really says it all. Meret is yet another goalkeeper that impresses with his agility and quick reflexes, despite being 1,9m and weighing 82kg. Currently on his third season at Napoli, Meret has 59 appearances for the club. Keep in mind he is competing for a spot against Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.

1. Unai Simon – Athletic Club de Bilbao

If you love a goalkeeper with cat-like reflexes, you will be crazy about Unai Simon. As four out of five players on this list, Simon is only 23 years of age, quite young for a keeper. However, his impressive saves earned him a regular spot in goal for Athletic. The Spanish player was given an opportunity after Kepa moved away to London. Two years later, Simon began this season with a few errors to his name. However, as his performance peaked, the goalkeeper has already earned three caps for Spain.