Top 5 Goalkeepers With Most Clean Sheets In Premier League History

This is the list of the top 5 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in Premier League history.

Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, a total of 17 goalkeepers have achieved the remarkable feat of keeping 100 or more clean sheets.

First was Peter Schmeichel, while Petr Čech is the only goalkeeper to reach a staggering 200 clean sheets. He also holds the record for the fastest keeper to reach 100 clean sheets in Premier League history.

While Edwin van der Sar holds the record for consecutive clean sheets, going unbeaten for 14 matches in the 2008-09 season.

Without further ado;

Top 5 Goalkeepers With Most Clean Sheets In Premier League History

Petr Čech
David James
Mark Schwarzer
David de Gea
David Seaman

Let’s learn about the number of their clean sheets, appearances, and percentage.

1. Petr Čech

Clean sheets – 202
Appearance – 443
Percentage – 45.60%

Petr Čech, the Czech Republic’s goalkeeper is one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history. With an impressive 202 clean sheets in 443 appearances, Čech boasts an astounding 45.60% clean sheet percentage.

He played for two Premier League clubs in his career leaving an incredible mark in both teams.

In fact, he reached 100 clean sheets in a record-breaking 180 appearances, securing his place in Premier League history.

Čech also holds the record for the most clean sheets in Premier League history, impressive proof of his shot-stopping prowess.

Furthermore, he won the Premier League Golden Glove award four times and is the only goalkeeper to have achieved this feat with two different clubs.

Čech’s career began at Chmel Blšany, but it was during his time at Sparta Prague that his talent blossomed.

At the age of 19, he became a regular starter and achieved an amazing league record by going 903 competitive minutes without conceding a single goal.

This performance attracted attention from abroad, leading to his move to Ligue 1 side Rennes in 2002.

In France, Čech stood out in a struggling team and eventually caught the eye of Chelsea, who broke the goalkeeper transfer fee record at the time to secure his services in 2004.

His exceptional season in 2004-05 witnessed 24 clean sheets.

Over his eleven-year at Chelsea, he recorded 494 appearances, becoming the seventh most-capped player in the club’s history.

He was also instrumental in the club’s triumphs, including four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League title, and one UEFA Europa League title.

With a wealth of international experience, Čech holds the record of being the most-capped player in the history of the Czech national team, earning 124 caps.

He represented his country in tournaments like the World Cup and the European Championships, notably guiding the Czechs to the semi-finals in Euro 2004.

Additionally, he has claimed numerous individual awards, including the Czech Footballer of the Year and Czech Golden Ball awards.

Recognized as the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper in 2005, Čech’s abilities were acknowledged in the UEFA Champions League as well, where he won the Best Goalkeeper award on multiple occasions.

In the 2004-05 season, he set an unbeatable league record by going 1,025 minutes without conceding a goal.

2. David James

Clean sheets – 169
Appearance – 572
Percentage – 29.55%

David James recorded 169 clean sheets in 572 appearances, boasting a 29.55% clean sheet percentage. With this state, he is the second goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in the premier league history.

Beginning his career with Watford, James later graced the Premier League with his talent at Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Manchester City, and Portsmouth.

He won a Football League Cup winner’s medal with Liverpool in 1995 and an FA Cup winner’s medal with Portsmouth in 2008.

Also, he achieved runners-up honors with Aston Villa in 2000, Liverpool in 1996, and Portsmouth in 2010. At the age of 39, James was the oldest goalkeeper to appear in an FA Cup Final.

Though he is fifth on the list of all-time Premier League appearances, he is second to Cech in premier league keepers with the highest clean sheets.

Initially, he held the record for the most clean sheets in the Premier League, until Petr Čech surpassed it. Moreover, James won the award for the most saving penalties in Premier League history.

In addition, James represented England 53 times between 1997 and 2010, and he was the team’s first-choice goalkeeper during the Euro 2004 and 2010 World Cup campaigns.

In recognition of his contributions to football, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honors.

3. Mark Schwarzer

Clean sheets – 151
Appearance – 514
Percentage – 29.38%

The Australian shot-stopper is among the Premier League’s most accomplished goalkeepers. Schwarzer boasts a commendable clean sheet percentage of 29.38%, recorded 151 clean sheets in 514 appearances.

Schwarzer’s professional career took flight in 1990 when he joined Marconi Stallions in the National Soccer League after progressing through various youth ranks.

He made a name for himself in Germany, playing for Dynamo Dresden and 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the Bundesliga. However, his breakthrough in the Premier League came when he joined Middlesbrough in February 1997.

And his time at Middlesbrough saw him make an impressive 445 appearances. In 2008, Schwarzer made a switch to Fulham, where he recorded 218 appearances for the club.

In 2013, he moved to Stamford Bridge and became the first non-Briton to make over 500 appearances in the Premier League.

He was also the oldest player to feature in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.

Following his time at Chelsea, Schwarzer joined Leicester City on a free transfer in January 2015, and he played a role in the club’s historic 2015-16 Premier League-winning campaign before departing at the season’s end.

4. David de Gea

Clean sheets – 147
Appearance – 415
Percentage – 35.42%

David de Gea has firmly established himself as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers.

He is currently loving life in Manchester United recording 147 clean sheets in 415 appearances in the Premier League so far, with an exceptional clean sheet percentage of 35.42%.

De Gea’s ascent began at Atlético Madrid and made his senior debut in 2009 at just 18 years old. In June 2011, he sealed a move to Manchester United for a British-record fee of £18.9 million.

Since joining Manchester United, De Gea has been the number one in the goalpost, registering over 500 appearances for the club.

He has also captained the Spain under-21 national team to victory in the European Championship in 2011 and 2013 and competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

He was even part of the Spanish squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

5. David Seaman

Clean sheets – 141
Appearance – 344
Percentage – 40.99%

David Seaman’s career reached its high point during his spell as Arsenal and England goalkeeper in the 1990s and early 2000s. Seaman’s time at Arsenal was not bad at all, as he played an integral part in the club’s success.

He is one of the goalkeepers in the Premier with a proving record of 141 clean sheets in 344 appearances, a remarkable clean sheet percentage of 40.99%.

At Arsenal, he won three league championships in 1991, 1998, and 2002. And he lifted the FA Cup trophy in 1993, 1998, 2002, and 2003.

Additionally, he contributed to the club’s victories in the League Cup in 1993 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

His save against Paul Peschisolido of Sheffield United in the 2002–03 FA Cup semi-final was considered to be one of the greatest saves in football history. But I won’t forget his two costly errors that ruin his otherwise stellar record.

These included conceding a last-minute goal to Nayim of Real Zaragoza in the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final and being beaten by Ronaldinho’s free kick in the 2002 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Brazil.

However, he retired in 2004 due to a recurring shoulder injury but kept to the game as a goalkeeping coach.

Conclusion

Petr Čech is the goalkeeper with the highest clean sheet in Premier League history with an impressive 202 clean sheets in 443 appearances.

David James follows closely with 169 clean sheets in 572 appearances, while Mark Schwarzer and David de Gea also show their shot-stopping abilities with 151 clean sheets in 514 appearances and 147 clean sheets in 415 appearances, respectively.

Finally, David Seaman’s 141 clean sheets in 344 appearances highlight his impact during his time at Arsenal. Without a doubt, these goalkeepers are the top 5 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in Premier League history.

Ken Anucha

Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.