All 24 EFL Championship goalkeepers ranked from best to worst | OneFootball

FLW ranks those who have appeared between the sticks the most in the Championship throughout 2024/25

The calibre of individual players within the Championship has certainly increased in recent seasons.

Despite it so often being stated that, in terms of overall squads and finances, the gap between the second tier and Premier League has never been bigger, those within the top flight have started to take an even-greater notice of the talent on show throughout the division.

There are plenty of goalkeepers who have become household names in the Championship, as well as some who have excelled beyond initial expectations either in the short and long-term, leaving them with plenty of admirers when it comes to even opposition fanbases as well as representatives of other clubs drafting transfer window shortlists.

Taking key factors into account, Football League World has, therefore, decided to rank each club's goalkeeper from best to worst.

Note: Each goalkeeper included has made the highest number of appearances for their club up to matchday 38 of 2024/25

Kickstarting this list is Burnley's record-breaking shot-stopper James Trafford, who has come on leaps and bounds this season at Turf Moor.

After initially struggling for the Clarets after a £19m move from Manchester City in 2023, the former Bolton Wanderers loanee has arguably been the standout performer for Scott Parker's side this season, keeping a total of 26 clean sheets in 37 matches and preventing a league-high of 11.4 further strikes.

The 22-year-old also went on a Championship-record period of 1,132 minutes without conceding between late-December and March, as the Clarets held a run of 12 consecutive shutouts.

Unsurprisingly, this has only heightened interest from the likes of Newcastle United, Manchester United and West Ham as the shot-stopper has also been welcomed back into the England senior squad under Thomas Tuchel.

2 Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper has, pound-for-pound, been one of the signings of the season, having joined Sheffield United from Plymouth Argyle for an initial £2m sum.

The 25-year-old was a standout performer for the Greens in their promotion from League One and continued to impress in the second tier after returning from a lengthy absence, before further increasing his stock at Bramall Lane this term.

Cooper has one of the highest save percentage and clean sheet records in the division, which is in no small part down to the fact he would not concede a goal in the Steel City from his home bow against Watford until the 2-0 defeat to Burnley on Boxing Day.

United shipped a Premier League-high total of 104 concessions last term, although if promotion was to be achieved this season, many would back the Exeter-born man to make the step-up into the top flight for the first time in his career.

3 Viktor Johansson

Viktor Johansson earned mass praise for his performances at Rotherham United last term, and it was viewed as a major coup for Stoke City to have acquired the Swede's services for an initial bargain price of just £750,000 in the summer.

The Aston Villa academy graduate ranked the highest for saves per 90 minutes during his final season at the New York Stadium and, with a tally of 3.2 goals prevented, made the Millers' season look somewhat more respectable despite a dismal tally of 27 points.

Johansson has continued to excel between the posts in Staffordshire, despite the fact Stoke have changed the guard three times already during his stint, with the 26-year-old still ranking within the division's best goalkeepers when it comes to save percentage and saves per 90 minutes.

With interest from AFC Bournemouth and Serie A outfit Como surfacing, not many could begrudge the Swedish international for looking to source top-flight football for the first time in his career.

4 Illan Meslier

Despite the fact that many could define Illan Meslier's current season through notable mishaps against Sunderland, Hull City and Sheffield United, the Frenchman remains one of the best in the division between the sticks.

The man who signed from FC Lorient on a permanent basis for £5m after United's promotion in 2020 led the way in terms of clean sheets last term with a total of 18, and has already surpassed that number in Daniel Farke's second season in charge as the side continue to have one of the second tier's meanest defences.

However, his save percentage is considerably down on the likes of Trafford and Cooper, whilst Meslier's future as 'number one' at Elland Road has been put into doubt as Leeds have been linked with Aaron Ramsdale and Caoimhin Kelleher heading into the summer, where they hope to have regained their Premier League status.

5 Anthony Patterson

Anthony Patterson has become one of the Championship's most sought-after goalkeepers in recent times, despite only featuring at this level for three seasons with Sunderland.

Despite a dire second half of last season which saw the Mackems slip to 16th in the table, the academy graduate saw himself linked with potential moves to Liverpool and Manchester City, but continued to ply his trade at the Stadium of Light and kept a total of six clean sheets throughout the first 10 games of the season as Regis Le Bris got off to a flying start on Wearside.

However, form has dipped off significantly for the Black Cats after Patterson was once again linked with a move away in January amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham, with a notable error coming in the 1-0 defeat to Hull City in February.

Patterson was valued between £15-20m in the summer, and with his contract running until 2028, there is still plenty of time for his stock to continue rising as suitors from the Premier League lurk.

Despite the fact that Blackburn added to their goalkeeping ranks with the addition of Balasz Toth in the summer, Aynsley Pears has continued to rise above such competition, with the 26-year-old excelling between the sticks this term after last campaign's mixed fortunes.

The former Middlesbrough man is comfortably within the Championship's top five shot-stoppers when it comes to goal prevention, as well as holding an extremely admirable save percentage and clean sheet record.

Rovers' form has started to tail off in recent weeks as John Eustace departed and was replaced by Valerien Ismael. However, if the East Lancashire side are to bridge the small gap between themselves and the play-offs, they will need Pears to return to his best form as soon as possible.

The Ewood Park club have had plenty of notable shot-stoppers in recent history, and whilst the Durham native wouldn't be placed within the same stratosphere as the likes of Brad Friedel, he has put in an array of dependable performances.

7 Max O'Leary

Max O'Leary has been a mainstay in the Bristol City side for the past three seasons, with the former Shrewsbury Town loanee a key facet behind their push for the play-offs this season.

The Republic of Ireland international has reached a double-figure tally of clean sheets for the second successive season, and has earned praise from the Robins boss for keeping his team in several contests this term, despite making an error which saw the West Country side drop two points against QPR back in December.

A product of the club's academy, O'Leary is currently tied down at Ashton Gate until 2026, meaning that the club have to act as soon as possible to ensure they don't risk losing his services on the cheap as he nears the final year of his deal.

8 Daniel Bachmann

Although Watford haven't had the smoothest of rides since dropping back into the Championship in 2022, Daniel Bachmann has continued to be one of the Hornets' most consistent performers.

The Austrian managed to keep 27 clean sheets between the start of 2022/23 and the end of last season, although this season has been a personal tale of misfortune despite the side's play-off bid under Tom Cleverley.

Bachmann has been out of action since January 4th after sustaining an ankle issue against Sheffield United at Vicarage Road, with Egil Sevik joining from Udinese late in the transfer window as a result.

It remains to be seen whether Cleverley will re-instate Bachmann into the starting lineup once the former Stoke City man returns from injury, but there's no denying how much of a valuable asset he has been to Watford in the past five years.

9 Oliver Dovin

Oliver Dovin made the switch from Hammarby to Coventry City for a reported £1.5m in Mark Robins' final transfer window, and has begun to fully showcase his capabilities for the Sky Blues after a mixed start.

Since Frank Lampard's arrival, the London-born Sweden international has been instrumental in City's rise up the Championship table, keeping seven clean sheets from Boxing Day up until a 3-0 demolition of play-off rivals Sunderland ahead of the March international break as the club won nine out of 10 league games for the first time ever.

As a result, the 22-year-old's numbers in terms of save percentage and goal prevention have skyrocketed, and he will no doubt have a huge say as to whether the Sky Blues can end their lengthy Premier League exile at the end of the season.

Freddie Woodman's 2024/25 season has been very up-and-down, with the 28-year-old keeping over 15 clean sheets across all competitions as North End have improved as a defensive unit in time under Paul Heckingbottom.

Of course, the campaign hasn't been faultless for the former Swansea City man, who has taken criticism from supporters for a handful of mishaps, but his contract situation will prove to be a concern in the long run, as the Lilywhites will have to take action one way or another.

It was exclusively revealed by FLW in December that Woodman and the club had begun talks over a fresh deal, before the Sun reported the club were open to a sale in the final days of the most recent transfer window, as they eyed up Wigan Athletic's Sam Tickle.

It remains to be seen what the future holds at Deepdale for the son of Bromley manager, Andy, but he would definitely be a shrewd free-agent addition for a plethora of second tier sides in the summer.

11 Jamie Cumming

Jamie Cumming enjoyed a successful loan spell with Oxford United last term as the U's reached the second tier for the first time since 1999, and the former Chelsea man has also enjoyed a relatively strong individual campaign this time around too.

In what is also the former MK Dons man's first season at Championship level, Cumming has reached the 10-mark in terms of shutouts for the season, and if it wasn't for his interventions, Oxford could already be staring down the barrel at an immediate return for League One.

The 25-year-old is competing at the same level as the aforementioned Trafford, Cooper, Johansson and Pears when it comes to goal prevention, as well as averaging over 3 saves per 90 minutes.

12 Lukas Jensen

Lukas Jensen was one of League One's best-performing goalkeepers last term, with a tally of 19 clean sheets for Lincoln City worthy of progression up to the second tier with Millwall.

In his maiden season of Championship football, the Dane has recorded a double-figure tally of clean sheets, although the majority of those came prior to Alex Neil's appointment on December 30th.

With the former Norwich City boss renowned for having defensively sound squads, Jensen is likely to have a strong influence in the years to come at the Den, as the Lions look to finally bridge the gap between themselves and the play-off pack, which they haven't quite been able to do in recent seasons.

13 Ivor Pandur

Ivor Pandur had to bide his time at Hull City after moving from Fortuna Sittard for £1.5m in January 2024, but the Croat has arguably been the Tigers' Player of the Season in a largely frustrating campaign.

The 24-year-old became a hot topic of discussion in the off-season as owner Acun Ilicali and former head coach Liam Rosenior had split opinions on who should have featured in net between himself and Ryan Allsop, before Pandur was given his league bow by Tim Walter in August.

Hull have managed to make a slight rise up the table under Ruben Selles, with it being argued that if it wasn't for Pandur's shot-stopping ability, the East Yorkshire side would have been cut further adrift from safety as they won just four games between August and mid-January.

Tigers supporters will hope that the former Croatian youth international continues his relatively strong form in a side which follows more of an upward trajectory next season.

14 Paul Nardi

Paul Nardi has been an inspired signing for QPR, having joined on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Gent.

And, whilst the 30-year-old didn't get off to the best of starts at Loftus Road, the Hoops' recruitment team will be delighted with his contributions as the season has progressed, as the R's kept faith with the Frenchman as they steered themselves clear of relegation danger, and even looked like they could have made a play-off bid at one stage.

Despite having a minus tally when it comes to goal prevention, Nardi has been on hand to ensure that Rangers have rarely been on the wrong side of a high scoreline in recent months.

Marti Cifuentes will certainly hope there is a chance of extending the experienced keeper's stay in the capital, having signed just a two-year contract.

James Beadle was a key influence in Sheffield Wednesday's upturn in fortunes under Danny Rohl last term, but hasn't quite been able to live up to the same levels this term despite the Owls' progression in the standings.

Wednesday have shipped an extremely high number of goals for a side vying to battle with the top-six, with Beadle featuring in every Championship game thus far.

At the age of 20, there is plenty of room for further growth for the Brighton and Hove Albion loanee, who has still picked up a reasonable amount of clean sheets amid plenty of injury woes to the rearguard in front of him.

However, there's no doubt he would want to improve his record when it comes to goal prevention, which is among the worst in the division.

16 Nicolas Schmid

Portsmouth's recruitment model had to be extremely savvy given their budget in comparison to many divisional rivals.

Aside from the creative flair provided by Josh Murphy, Austrian keeper Nicolas Schmid must also go down as a transfer which has gone under-the-radar.

Despite being handed his debut in October and Pompey's inconsistencies in terms of goals conceded - particularly away from home - Schmid has kept a respectable tally of clean sheets and has grown in confidence as the season has progressed into the home straight.

So far this season, the former BW Linz man has averaged over 3 saves per 90 minutes and has a save percentage of just under 70%, which is among the top 10 in the Championship.

17 Jacob Widell Zetterstrom

The signing of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was key for Derby County on their return to the Championship, having lost the services of Joe Wildsmith in the off-season.

At 6"6, the former Djurgardens keeper was acquired for a reported £1.4m fee, is an extremely imposing figure, but has endured a mixed first season on English shores as the Rams look to stave off relegation.

Given Wolves' prior interest, there's no doubt how highly-rated the 26-year-old is, but he will hope to build on an average season in terms of clean sheets and save percentage, despite coming to his side's aid at times, which otherwise could have seen them cut adrift in the relegation zone.

18 Thomas Kaminski

Thomas Kaminski's reputation as one of the Championship's best goalkeepers in 2022/23 was a key factor in his move to Luton Town as the Hatters prepared for their maiden Premier League season under Rob Edwards.

Despite succumbing to relegation, Kaminski was often lauded for his performances between the sticks as the Bedfordshire side put up plenty of admirable performances, as well as gaining international recognition for the first time in his career.

However, this season hasn't gone to plan for the Belgian, who has conceded the third-most goals in the division per 90 minutes, despite being on hand to keep Luton in contests with a handful of clean sheets to his name.

If Luton are to be relegated in successive seasons, it would also seem rather unrealistic for a player to be earning an estimated salary of £25,000 per-week in League One, meaning a departure could be on the cards.

19 Angus Gunn

Angus Gunn finds himself in a similar predicament to Kaminski, having previously shone in net for Norwich City, before enduring a frustrating 2024/25 campaign.

The Scotland international kept 14 clean sheets in all competitions last term for the Canaries as they reached the play-off semi-finals, but a lack of defensive structure has been evident since, with Norwich continuing to drop a league-high amount of points from winning positions.

The 29-year-old is among the bottom three of the goalkeepers union when it comes to preventing goals, and has also had two spells out of the side, with George Long and Vicente Reyes being presented with opportunities by Johannes Hoff Thorup.

20 Lawrence Vigouroux

Lawrence Vigouroux's first season as Swansea City's number one has been very mixed to say the least, in a similar fashion to the club's overall fortunes.

Vigouroux excelled for the likes of Swindon Town and Leyton Orient, before signing for Burnley last summer as deputy for the likes of Trafford and Aro Muric.

After moving to South Wales, the London-born former Chilean youth international has also kept a respectable tally of clean sheets to his name, but is let down by his performance metrics in other areas.

Vigouroux currently finds himself in the bottom six keepers when it comes to goal prevention and save percentage, but has been predicted by former Swans cult hero, Michel Vorm, to improve.