For FPL managers looking to significantly increase their performance, having a solid goalkeeper in their squad is essential. With the transfer market open for action and high-profile additions being made left and right, Fantasy Premier League managers typically get enthusiastic about which attackers or midfielders to pick prior to the new season.
While goalkeepers rarely score or provide an assist, they are generally overlooked when it comes to tactical discussions.
However, shot-stoppers do play an important part in the game, and the finest ones are capable of racking up significant points with clean sheet bonuses. Keeping that in mind, let us have a look at some of the best low and mid-range goalies to pick for your squad ahead of the upcoming 2022-23 FPL season:
BUDGET VALUE KEEPERS
ROBERT SANCHEZ (£4.5M, BHA)
There was a notion that Robert Sanchez (£4.5m) underperformed in 2021–2022, although no goalkeeper with a price tag of £4.5m or less collected more FPL points last season. When compared to Raya and others, his points-per-match record (3.4) was below average, casting a shadow over this accomplishment.
Only five teams allowed fewer goals than Brighton did the previous season, who had an even better xGC than Brentford (sixth-best in the league). Additionally, they shared seventh place for clean sheets.
Only 17 of Sanchez’s 37 outings resulted in save points, and that was where Sanchez struggled. The Spain international only added a save point to a clean sheet on three instances, so he usually lost out on those significant gains. Nevertheless, it gives us another opportunity to select the Brighton goalkeeper for 4.5 million. His first six games aren’t the most ideal, but if they get off to a good start, there could be advantages.
DEAN HENDERSON (£4.5M, NFO)
Dean Henderson comes to the City Ground with a statement to make after failing to dethrone David De Gea as Manchester United‘s No. 1 goalkeeper for the last two seasons. In addition, the 25-year-old steps in for Brice Samba at Forest after the latter’s unexpected transfer to Lens.
Henderson performed admirably the last time he held a similar role, which was with Sheffield United in 2019–20, despite the risks involved in choosing a goalkeeper from a recently promoted side. Henderson had 13 clean sheets that season, helping the Blades finish ninth, exceeding expectations, and he also had the fourth-highest FPL scoring average among keepers. In the first few weeks of a new campaign, some FPL managers may acquire two first-choice goalkeepers and switch them depending on who, theoretically, has the easier schedule. Henderson might make a good early-round replacement for Sanchez.
DAVID RAYA (£4.5M, BRE)
Many FPL managers prefer David Raya (£4.5m) as their affordable goalkeeper. He is now the fourth-most commonly picked keeper in the game, appearing in 11.2% of first-team lineups.
With a mid-season injury limiting his playing time, Raya had the fourth-bestbest points-per-match average (4.0) of first-choice goalies last season.
While Manchester City, Spurs, and Liverpool aren’t met before Gameweek 16 and beyond, Brentford doesn’t face one of the top four teams from last season until Gameweek 12. Gameweeks 3 through 7 have five matches against teams that either finished last season in the bottom half of the Premier League or were promoted from the Championship.
Therefore, even if you play a Wildcard after Gameweek 9, a member of the Bees’ defensive line still has favourable schedules on their side.
Regarding the crucial supporting statistics, Brentford were easily and comfortingly in the middle of the pack for everything from clean sheets (nine, 10th place among PL teams) to expected goals allowed (55.14, ranking them 8th among all PL teams).
MID-VALUE KEEPERS
AARON RAMSDALE (£5M, ARS)
When it comes to mid-range keepers, the Arsenal goalie enjoyed a respectable season. The Gunners finished third with 13 clean sheets, seventh with 48 goals allowed, and 50 xGC (6th). The Gunners ranked among the league’s top defensive teams and most likely will again this year. When Arsenal faltered and were unable to secure the fourth position, Aaron Ramsdale had a far stronger second half of the season than he had in the first.
The former Bournemouth player usually received a bonus when his team kept a clean sheet and finished second among goalkeepers with 14 bonus points.
This season’s initial slate of games has been quite nice to Mikel Arteta’s team. They take on Crystal Palace (A), Leicester City (H), Bournemouth (A), Fulham (H) and Aston Villa (H) in their first five fixtures. They might be able to keep two or three clean sheets, and Ramsdale could gain from saves and bonus points.
EDOUARD MENDY (£5M, CHE)
This season, FPL have valued Edouard Mendy extremely affordably. You can acquire the goalie for one of the league’s top defences for just £5.0m.
Chelsea finished third last season with 16 clean sheets, 33 goals allowed, and an expected goals conceded (xGC) of 39.4. (3rd). They only lagged behind Manchester City and Liverpool in terms of defensive strength, and this season, that’s highly likely to hold true again.
Despite losing important defenders like Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, the Blues have added Kalidou Koulibaly (£5.5m). We don’t see their ability to keep a clean sheet deteriorating too much because they will probably add more reinforcements to round out that back three.
Despite some challenging matchups in their first games, they are more than capable of containing even the best teams.
Particularly favourable matchups for them include those against Everton (A), Leicester City (H), and Southampton (A). Mendy is a solid choice to use to open the season. He is now a lot better option than he ever was.
JOSE SA (£5M, WOL)
The Portuguese goalie, who made some incredible saves along the way, finished last season as the fourth-highest earning goalkeeper (146 points). He had the second-highest BPS (722) across goalkeepers and the fourth-most stops (121).
Wolves have been a highly reliable defensive team since they entered the Premier League four years back. They had an xGC of 58.1 and preserved 11 clean sheets while only allowing 43 goals last season, placing them fourth among goals conceded.
They have consistently been one of the hardest teams to defeat and a formidable defensive side. This season, We don’t see that changing, and their defensive assets will undoubtedly once again be valuable.
The team led by Bruno Lage has a very strong schedule to begin the year. In their first six games, they face Leeds United (H), Fulham (H), Newcastle United (H), Bournemouth (A) and Southampton (H).