Premier League goalkeeper preview

There has been a summer of change in the Premier League in the goalkeeping department, but which team has the best keepers?

At Arsenal, many expected Arsene Wenger to swoop for a new shot stopper and QPR's Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar had been linked for several months. However, a deal failed to materialise and Wenger appears to be happy with his Polish duo of Fabianski and Szczesny. A move for a third goalkeeper at this point would be highly unlikely. This could indeed backfire for Wenger as both keepers have a history of injury problems and dips in form.


At Aston Villa, Paul Lambert has brought in Jed Steer from his former club Norwich. The youngster will be a third choice backup for Brad Guzan and Benji Siegrist. In early July the Villans agreed on a new four year deal with Amerian keeper Guzan, who will need to be at his best this coming season.


Newly promoted Cardiff City are happy to rely on Scottish keeper David Marshall, no further signings are expected in the goalkeeping department by Malky Mackay despite recent links with Julio Cesar. The Welsh club may find it necessary to add some top flight experience come January, failure to sign a new keeper could be an early blunder by Cardiff.


Chelsea still consider the ever reliable Petr Cech as their first choice, but having released Ross Turnbull and adding experienced Mark Schwarzer is indeed a smart move by Mourinho; Hilario has also signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge. Cech will be up there for the top goalkeeper award come the end of the season.


Crystal Palace are also another team who perhaps should have considered investing for a player in this position. Julian Speroni is indeed an underrated goalkeeper, but Palace could do with some more strength in depth having only Joe Lewis on the bench.


Everton have bought smart this summer in this position. Newly installed Roberto Martinez has seriously raided his former club in the transfer market and the addition of Joel Robles could be a very good move. The Spaniard will provide excellent cover for the reliable Tim Howard in between the sticks at Goodison.


Where Fulham will miss the experience of Mark Schwarzer this year will be made up for by the quality of new signing Maarten Stekelenburg. A truly top level keeper, many were surprised the Dutchman chose to move to Craven Cottage from AS Roma. A top drawer signing by Martin Jol, who also has David Stockwell to call upon for cup competition if necessary.


Hull City Tigers have bought very well this summer. You feel that the top flight experience of Steve Bruce will make a huge difference in their transfer policy; the signing of Allan McGregor from Turkish side Besiktas is a very smart move. Of all the newly promoted sides, Hull appear to have the best keepers and understand the importance of top quality in this position. The signing of former Newcastle legend Steve Harper also looks to be a very shrewd acquisition.


Liverpool are arguably the team that had been most active in this department. Signing Simon Mignolet from Sunderland could be a genius move by Brendan Rodgers, the Belgian has already shown flashes of brilliance at the top level. Pepe Reina controversially moved on loan to Napoli, having been one of Liverpool's longest serving players. Whether or not Mignolet can match the quality of Reina is a question many are already asking and will surely judge the long term success of manager Rodgers' reign.


Man City number 1 Joe Hart has been told to expect more competition from Romanian Costel Pantilimon this season. Hart proved to be an impeccable player at the top level when City won their league title in 2012, but last season Hart showed there are indeed more than a few chinks in his armour as he made a few high profile errors. Expect Pantilimon to play a major role at some point this year. Number three the veteran Richard Wright provides adequate cover.


Man Utd will be looking to David De Gea in the coming year to produce more of the same if they're to have a successful campaign. With De Gea seeing his friend and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele depart the club as part of David Moyes' new look coaching team, could this prove a difficult season ahead for the Spaniard? Anders Lindegaard waits with baited breath for his chance should the youngster slip up.


Newcastle will rely on Tim Krul staying fit this season or will need to call upon the untested Rob Elliot. Krul has world class potential but the Toon Army have failed to replace Steve Harper who quit at the end of last season. Expect this to be a position where Alan Pardew and Joe Kinnear consider strengthening before the end of August.


Norwich City's goalkeeping situation is an interesting one. Last season, first choice John Ruddy missed many games through injury whilst Chris Hughton has already sent Declan Rudd away on loan. Mark Bunn struggled at times with performances and discipline last year and the signing of Carlo Nash does little to ease the concerns of Canaries' fans should Ruddy sustain injury. After Delia Smith bankrolled a major summer of new signings arriving at Carrow Road, many will be worried that a more experienced top flight keeper has not been signed.


Southampton are another team who have spent big outfield but haven't added to their goalkeeping ranks. Arthur Boruc and Kelvin Davis have experience and give the Saints plenty of options, but question marks remain over how well this duo can protect the Saints' goal.


Stoke City have two excellent goalkeepers who will be battling for first team minutes. Many have suggested that the duo of Jack Butland and Asmir Begovic could play for some of the Premier League's biggest sides; Butland certainly will be looking for assurances from manager Mark Hughes that he will be playing some part this year, especially with the World Cup coming up next year. On the other hand you have Begovic, arguably one of the Premier League's best. Can Hughes resolve this selection headache keeping both players happy? Very unlikely, expect some potential movement before the transfer window closes.


Having sold Simon Mignolet to Liverpool, Sunderland needed to move quickly to find a replacement; Vito Mannone arrived from Arsenal and could prove to be a real bargain. Mannone has worked hard for first team football at the Emirates and will be delighted that Paolo Di Canio has taken a punt on his relatively untested abilities and has made his fellow countryman the Black Cats' number 1.


Michael Laudrup has been a busy boy in the transfer market this summer at Swansea City, but with first choice Michel Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel as backup; signing a new shot stopper has never been a priority. Should Vorm have another good season, expect the likes of Barcelona to make a phone call. After all, Victor Valdes will be leaving the Nou Camp at the end of this coming season.


Tottenham are one side who seemingly never have goalkeeping problems, but somehow even with their strength in depth in this position, they always seem to keep all of their keepers happy. Heurelho Gomes seems to be happy collecting his pay cheque without playing any first team football and Brad Friedel still can cut it at the top level of the English game. Hugo Lloris is officially the number 1 at White Hart Lane now and is arguably one of Europe's best. Expect a massive season from the Frenchman.


Ben Foster and Boaz Myhill offer more than adequate protection at West Brom, leaving Steve Clarke looking for transfers in other positions instead. WBA will be happy to have scared off any potential interest for Foster.


Finally, West Ham can call upon one of the Premier League's most underrated and consistent performers; Jussi Jaaskelainen. The only thing that the 38-year-old must battle this coming season is his deteriorating fitness. The addition of Spaniard keeper Adrian points to a long term change at Upton Park. The 26-year-old had an excellent season at Real Betis last year and could prove to be an excellent acquisition.


So who do we think had made the best moves this summer? It is interesting to see the differences in transfer policy comparing all of the league sides. Many teams have focused heavily on outfield acquisitions but some realise the importance of quality and experience of a top goalkeeper. Fulham have been smart signing Maarten Stekelenburg, who truly has world class potential. It will also be interesting to see if Sunderland signing Vito Mannone can prove himself at Premier League level week in week out. Stoke City also will need to let one of their keepers leave; their current duo cannot both be kept happy even with a squad rotation policy.


What scares us the most is Cardiff and Newcastle's lack of interest in this market. With the likes of Julio Cesar seemingly desperate for a return to the Premier League, either of these teams could have taken a punt. Also Norwich lack one true top class goalkeeper, this could have a negative impact on their European qualification ambitions this year.


What do you think? We would love to hear your comments below.