The final round of Premier League fixtures takes place this weekend, with the transfer window opening the very next day.
Due to the fractures and condensed schedule, teams will not have as much time to prepare for the 2020/21 campaign, and although the window will be extended, there isn't a lot of margin for error in recruitment policy.
Looking at goalkeepers, FootballCritic have determined who should stick with their number one, and who should be dipping into the market.
THE ELITES
With Alisson Becker as the No. 1 and Adrian as a (relatively) safe backup, Liverpool are comfortable in the goalkeeping position. Loris Karius will return from loan to battle for a place and Caoimhin Kelleher could be seeking a loan move to a League One calibre side, should he wish for more consistent playtime than just being the third choice and playing in reserve matches.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Manchester City
City also enjoy the luxury of certainty in goal, with Ederson in his prime and Zack Steffen returning from his loan spell in Germany. Should City or Steffen decide that he needs more routine minutes, the keeper could become a loan option. Arijanet Muric will return from his loan spell as Nottingham Forest’s backup and could either be a backup or third choice for Pep Guardiola's side, should he stay around.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Chelsea find themselves in quite a predicament going into this summer. Willy Caballero will be going into next season at age 39, meaning retirement should be coming sooner rather than later. However, a veteran backup isn’t the issue for Chelsea. The issue for Chelsea comes in Kepa, who only arrived in summer 2018 for a fee above £70m and comes with a high wage packet. It is clear that Kepa is not the man for Chelsea, but can any club interested afford him? With the investment Chelsea is putting into their attack, who can they afford to bring in to replace the Spanish goalkeeper?
Verdict: LOOKING FOR STARTER AND BACK-UP
Manchester United
In a similar situation to Chelsea, Manchester United are currently dealing with the problem of a very expensive Spanish goalkeeper who is massively underperforming.
With Dean Henderson coming back, could we see the young English goalkeeper replace David De Gea, or will he be too expensive to move? Sergio Romero will be hoping to not find himself as the third-choice goalkeeper.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Hugo Lloris remains a reliable No. 1 for Tottenham as he enters his ninth season with the club. Paulo Gazzaniga will assist him as the backup, should he be needed. While there are better goalkeepers out there, Tottenham’s situation is very comfortable.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Think about the luxury that Liverpool and Manchester City have, but on a lesser scale. Bernd Leno has overcome his early inconsistencies at Arsenal and has settled into being a fine Premier League goalkeeper, with Emiliano Martinez proving to be a backup who can challenge for more routine minutes. Arsenal will be comfortable knowing they do not have to include goalkeeper on their list of worries this summer.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
THE CORE CLUBS
Kasper Schmeichel’s time in the Premier League has been met with consistency and reliability. While age is slowly becoming a factor, the Danish shot-stopper has plenty of time left and remains the ideal number one for Leicester. Should injury strike, Danny Ward will be able to step up as one of the better backups in the league.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Veteran duo Rui Patricio and John Ruddy have clearly defined roles as the starter and backup and both perfectly manage the expectations that come with it. In a couple of seasons, Wolves will need to look to replace both, but for now, no action is needed.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Sheffield United
Sheffield United’s biggest priority this summer will be coping with the loss of Dean Henderson. While the Blades achieved great success this year, it could all disappear in their second season back in the Premier League. With the rest of the team remaining relatively balanced, most of the budget can go to seeking a new starter - or seeing if Manchester United would be willing to discuss offers on Henderson.
Verdict: LOOKING FOR STARTER
England’s No. 1 Jordan Pickford has come under fire lately for average performances in comparison to Dean Henderson and Nick Pope, with many believing Pickford should now be the third choice.
In addition to Pickford’s uncertainty with the national team, Everton may consider selling their goalkeeper to fund other transfers, but would an upgrade be available for an affordable price?
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Nick Pope is unlikely to be on the move, but Bailey Peacock-Farrell may find himself seeking a loan to remain sharp. Should that happen, Burnley will need a new backup. However, it should be a quiet window for Burnley on the goalkeeping front.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
With the recent news coming out of Scotland that Fraser Forster wants to return to Southampton and fight for a place, this could be relieving news for Saints supporters. The once highly promising prospect Angus Gunn has proven himself to be too inconsistent for a starting job, while Alex McCarthy is really nothing more than a Premier League backup. Should Forster prove to not be good enough for Southampton, the club will need to move their dead weight and find a truly capable starter who can offer security at the back.
Verdict: LOOKING FOR STARTER
Vicente Guaita has quietly become one of the better goalkeepers in the Premier League, while Wayne Hennessey remains a competent backup. Crystal Palace find themselves flirting with relegation dangers often, but it is not due to a goalkeeper crisis. Palace have no need to be actively seeking a goalkeeper this summer.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Newcastle United
Newcastle’s plans truly depend on if a takeover happens or not. Should they remain under Mike Ashley’s reign, Martin Dubravka is a more than capable goalkeeper for them. Should the highly political deal that sees the Saudi Arabians take over the club, Dubravka may not be the man to match their ambitions. Even if a takeover happens, it is unlikely to see Newcastle invest in a new goalkeeper this summer.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Australian international Mathew Ryan offers Brighton reliability in shot-stopping and comfort in distribution. With Christian Walton returning from Blackburn as one of the best Championship performers to battle David Button for the backup role, Brighton will not be on the goalkeeper market this summer.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
THE BOTTOM
West Ham may have seen disappointing results in recent seasons, but that is not due to Lukasz Fabianski. The Polish veteran will be turning 36 by the end of next season, so a replacement will need to be considered relatively soon.
Irish number one Darren Randolph will support Fabianski and should prove to be a very capable backup.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Despite being the oldest starting goalkeeper in the league, Ben Foster still looks to have some time ahead of him, and will be hoping to see a constant face in the dugout at Watford. With Pontus Dahlberg showing as a promising backup, Watford can concentrate on finding a manager with a vision without needing to worry too much about replacing Foster, assuming he doesn’t retire this summer.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
With the opposite approach of Watford comes Bournemouth, who trusted Aaron Ramsdale this season as the youngest starting goalkeeper in the league, with an even younger Mark Travers assisting those efforts as backup. Bournemouth may find themselves in the Championship next season, but they have two potential international starting goalkeepers in their ranks.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Tom Heaton’s injuries have been one of the many blows to Villa’s efforts to survive this season. With the odds against them and Pepe Reina’s time at the club set to end, Villa could find themselves in the Championship next season with a 34-year-old Heaton returning from a serious injury and Jed Steer as a capable backup. There will be other concerns that will likely keep Villa off the market for a goalkeeper.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
Norwich City
Veterans Tim Krul and Michael McGovern may be the type to upgrade on for Premier League clubs, but Norwich’s return to the Championship will lower the priority needed on the duo. For now, Farke will be comfortable with Krul and McGovern. If Norwich can make an immediate return to the Premier League, they should be looking for a new goalkeeper that will have more of an impact than their failed loan signing of Ralf Fahrmann.
Verdict: NOT LOOKING
THE NEWCOMERS
Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa has managed to return Leeds United to the promised land, and many will be hoping this tenure lasts as long as their tenure in the Championship. With the current dilemma of Jean Kevin Augustin’s transfer, a large sum going to bonuses for winning the Championship, Patrick Bamford proving he may not even be a good second-tier striker, and defensive star Ben White returning to Brighton from his loan, Bielsa will have plenty of work to do to keep the club up with a limited budget.
Young French goalkeeper Illan Meslier has reportedly been signed permanently and will be the backup with lots of potential, but he probably isn’t ready to start in the Premier League. Spanish veteran Kiko Casilla has found himself under a lot of pressure due to inconsistencies and allegations of racism, which has led to many fans wanting him out of the club. Casilla is likely not the man for Leeds in goal, but can Leeds afford to find a replacement?
Verdict: LOOKING FOR STARTER
David De Gea
Ederson
Alisson
Jordan Henderson
Bernd Leno
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Jordan Pickford
Hugo Lloris
Man City
Man Utd
Liverpool
Chelsea
Arsenal
Tottenham
Leicester City
Burnley
Norwich
Newcastle
Crystal Palace
Brighton
Wolves
West Ham
Watford
Southampton
Bournemouth
Aston Villa
Leeds Utd
Everton
Premier League
