THE KEEPER'S JOURNAL
Goalkeeper history, glove technology, training, and the science of grip.
Lev Yashin — The Black Spider Who Changed Goalkeeping Forever
The only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or — how Lev Yashin changed the job by coming off his line, organising the defence, and starting attacks from the back.
Manuel Neuer and the Rise of the Sweeper-Keeper
Manuel Neuer made the sweeper-keeper the standard at the top level. He won the 2014 World Cup and its Golden Glove, finished third for the 2014 Ballon d'Or and is the only goalkeeper to win the European treble twice.
Marc-André ter Stegen — Barcelona's Passing Revolution
How Marc-André ter Stegen made playing out from the back a weekly habit at Barcelona — elite distribution and elite shot-stopping, from Mönchengladbach to the Camp Nou.
Mary Earps — England's Lioness Between the Posts
Mary Earps made an England last line look like a national event — Euro 2022 at Wembley, a World Cup Golden Glove in a losing final, and a Lioness shirt a kit company had to put on sale.
Michel Preud'homme — Belgium's Understated Genius
Michel Preud'homme made a Belgian last line look like a method you did not need a nickname for — Mechelen in Europe, the first World Cup Yashin Award, and 58 caps that stayed quiet.
Mohamed Al-Deayea — Asia's Most Capped Goalkeeper
Mohamed Al-Deayea made an Asian last line a cap file you can still count — RSSSF 173, four World Cups, the 1996 Asian Cup, and a Saudi number one Europe had to write down.
Nadine Angerer — The Penalty-Saving World Cup Final Hero
Nadine Angerer made a Women's World Cup final look winnable from twelve yards — Marta's penalty in Shanghai, a tournament without a goal, and a German last line the women's game had to name.
Neville Southall — Wales' Greatest Ever Goalkeeper
From Llandudno’s bin rounds to Everton’s 1980s peak and 92 Wales caps, Neville Southall showed that world-class shot-stopping could come from an unconventional path.
Nick Pope — England's Underrated Elite
Nick Pope made an England last line look elite without the starting shirt — Burnley nights, a Newcastle Champions League return, and ten caps that never became the whole argument.