Why Jan Oblak tops David de Gea as world's best goalkeeper

For no fault of his, it’s been over a year since fans last saw Manuel Neuer man the post for either club or country. In his absence, other goalkeepers have stepped up to rival the man famed for being the best goalkeeper of the 21st century. In Neuer’s absence, two goalies have shone brightest. Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak and Manchester United’s David De Gea have been a class apart this year. I can confidently say they’re the best pair in the world. But which of the duo is better? 

David De Gea 

The ‘Messi' of goalkeepers in the Premier League. Manchester United’s David De Gea is a goalkeeper on a different pedestal in England. The man is simply in a class of his own. Hey, I’m not a Manchester United fan, which is why I wonder where Manchester United will be without the services of such an athletic goalie. Word on the street has it that De Gea does nothing but “Eat, Sleep, Save Man United, then repeat”. This can’t be far from the truth. 

Again, Sir Alex Ferguson deserves credit. It was the egalitarian Scot who thought it wise to hand the young Spanish goalkeeper the big chance of replacing Edwin van der Sar at United. Seven years later, Manchester United is still reaping the rewards if that decision – their keeper has been named in the PFA Team of the Year five times in the seven season’s he’s played at Old Trafford. 

This season the Spanish first-choice keeper has continued to ‘wow' everyone in the Premier League. Without his 96 saves in the Premier League, Manchester United’s season would’ve been in tatters. Sadly, the brilliant 27-year-old net-minder could finish the season without celebrating a trophy if United fail to win the FA Cup on May 19th against Chelsea. 

Just this week, David de Gea was once again the recipient of the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, the fourth consecutive year that he has claimed the award.

🏆 Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards... 

- 2013/14: De Gea

- 2014/15: De Gea

- 2015/16: De Gea

- 2017/18: De Gea

DAVE SAVES! 

Indeed, De Gea has been glaringly exquisite for the Red Devils, but there’s another goalie who rivals or even betters him… 

Jan Oblak 

Everywhere he plays, Jan Oblak emerges the best. The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper is blessed with gymnastic skills that leave onlookers in awe. The Rojiblancos poached him from Benfica for a record fee of €16m in 2014. Since then, the Slovenian shot-stopper has left every other La Liga goal-keeper in the dust and taken his market value to at least €70m.

Oblak, came in at a point when Atleti were sweating over getting a good replacement for the departed Thibaut Courtois. The 25-year-old came in and performed even better. La Liga’s best in 2016. Two Zamora’s (La Liga’s best keeper award) are already in the bag; a third is seemingly on the way. Last season he matched Paco Liano's two-decade held record of 18 clean sheets in a La Liga campaign; this season the man has simply obliterated that record and set a new one. 

Like every other goalkeeper, Jan Oblak concedes, but quite unlike the rest, you won’t catch him making a mistake when he tries to catch. 

This term, Atleti dropped down to the Europa League after failing at the group stage of the Champions League. With Oblak, my money is on them to win it. When La Rojiblancos faced Arsenal in the semi-final first leg, the towering Slovenian made the difference by making a string of acrobatic saves (7) to deny the Gunners who had a man more. Le professor will have to travel with his wards to the Wanda Metropolitano and face a goalkeeper who hasn't conceded a goal there since January this year.

Jan Oblak is a beast in goal. 

Jan Oblak has kept more clean sheets (67) in LaLiga than he has conceded goals (63).

108 games played

Verdict 

From the title of this piece, you already know my verdict, I’ll just give proof. 

David De Gea is scary between the sticks, he makes some saves that are pure magic. The Spaniard, however, enjoys the hype and popularity that comes with the Premier League. By the stats, Jan Oblak has actually had a better season. 

Whereas De Gea has kept 17 clean sheets in his league, Oblak has kept 21; both keepers have played equal minutes. Oblak has conceded 18 times, three better than De Gea. It gives Oblak the edge on his save-per-goal ratio which stands at 4.56 per goal as opposed to De Gea’s 4; although the United man has made 96 saves, 14 more than Oblak. 

Tough choice, but I’ll rather have Jan Oblak on my team.