Awards

Vote for the best FPL goalkeeper of 2020/21

The Fantasy Football Scout end of season awards are up and running, with the polls for best goalkeeper and defenders open for voting on the sidebar.

We’ll be assessing the key candidates in each position in four separate articles, starting with this piece on the men between the posts.

Overall score, points per match and value in Fantasy Premier League were all factors we considered when compiling this shortlist – the rest we’ll leave up to you.

2019/20 TEAM OF THE SEASON REVIEW – GOALKEEPER

  • Goalkeeper: Nick Pope
  • Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Lundstram, Matt Doherty
  • Midfielders: Anthony Martial, Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, Kevin De Bruyne
  • Forwards: Raúl Jiménez, Danny Ings, Jamie Vardy

Burnley’s Nick Pope was the runaway winner of our goalkeeper award last season, polling over 75% of the vote.

Starting the 2019/20 campaign out at a bargain £4.5m, Pope registered 15 clean sheets for the Clarets and finished as the highest-scoring goalkeeper in FPL.

His total of 120 saves was the fourth-highest in the division while nobody in the same Fantasy position came close to matching his 23 bonus points.

2020/21 CANDIDATES

EMILIANO MARTINEZ

  • Points: 186
  • Points per match: 4.9
  • Start cost: £4.5m
  • End cost: £5.3m

The red-hot favourite for the best goalkeeper nomination, Emiliano Martinez not only finished as FPL’s highest-scoring shotstopper of 2020/21 but he also came within a whisker of breaking Brad Friedel’s record points total.

Friedel racked up 187 points all the way back in 2002/03, a tally that Martinez fell one point shy of.

The Aston Villa custodian did it all from a now-unthinkable starting price of £4.5m, too, hitting the ground running with a penalty save and a clean sheet in Gameweek 2.

A run of four consecutive shut-outs between Gameweeks 11-14 was a high point and by the time we’d reached Gameweek 27, he was averaging more than a clean sheet every other game.

Only one shut-out in his final 12 appearances meant the season ended on a slightly sour note but he still finished a massive 26 points clear of his nearest positional rival and registered more bonus points (27) and double-digit hauls (seven) than any of his peers.

He was also the best-value FPL asset in any position, returning 35.1 points per million spent, and had the best points-per-match average (4.9) of any first-choice goalkeeper.

Unsurprisingly, no other shot-stopper could come anywhere near his ownership figure of 37.9% by the season’s end – a situation that had been the case for some time.

EDERSON

  • Points: 160
  • Points per match: 4.4
  • Start cost: £6.0m
  • End cost: £6.1m

Premium goalkeepers haven’t been in fashion for some time, with budget shot-stoppers such as Emiliano Martinez seemingly popping up every season to offer superior value – and even points totals.

Ederson still deserves a place in our poll, however, having not only scooped the Golden Glove award for the second season running but also ended up second behind Martinez for overall score.

The Brazilian registered 19 clean sheets in 2020/21, a tally that only Alisson has beaten in the last 12 seasons of Premier League football.

Ederson’s total of 160 points was also exactly the same that the much-heralded Trent Alexander-Arnold managed at Liverpool.

Other than price, the downsides to the City man were a lack of saves (his average of 1.76 stops per match was the lowest among first-choice Premier League custodians) and bonus points (just three all season).

Indeed, his only two double-digit hauls owed much to fairly freak occurences: an assist in Gameweek 24 and a penalty save on the final day.

EDOUARD MENDY

 1
  • Points: 140
  • Points per match: 4.5
  • Start cost: £5.0m
  • End cost: £5.3m

Edouard Mendy was always likely to be an upgrade on his predecessor and so it proved, with Chelsea’s backline looking more secure in his presence both before and after Thomas Tuchel’s arrival.

He returned a clean sheet in more than half of his appearances (16 of 31), with his purple patch from Gameweeks 26-34 resulting in six shut-outs in eight starts.

A price rise to £5.5m looks likely next season, which will perhaps deter more Fantasy managers – especially as the occasional benching under the ever-tinkering Tuchel could strike at any moment.

A bit like Ederson, the strength of the defence in front of him also has its downsides: Mendy recorded save points in fewer than a third of his run-outs.

ILLAN MESLIER

Wolves restrict heavily-backed Bamford as Meslier suffers freak own goal
  • Points: 154
  • Points per match: 4.4
  • Start cost: £4.5m
  • End cost: £4.8m

While a price rise to £5.5m seems inevitable for Martinez next season, it’ll be interesting to see how FPL Towers handle Illan Meslier.

The Leeds goalkeeper also started the campaign at £4.5m and attracted much less attention than Aston Villa’s number one in the Fantasy community, never attaining a double-digit ownership in FPL.

The Whites’ leaky defence was mostly to blame for that in the first two-thirds of campaign but a late-season improvement from Marcelo Bielsa’s troops at the back bodes well for 2021/22.

Between Gameweeks 25-38, only Liverpool (10) conceded fewer goals than Leeds (12).

Meslier relied on saves as much as shut-outs throughout the campaign.

He registered 36 save points in 35 appearances (contrast that with Mendy’s 10 and Ederson’s 12), with his total of 140 stops bettered only by three other custodians – two of whom he may well have beaten had he not been benched in the final two Gameweeks.

Only Martinez (35.1) provided better value among shot-stoppers than Meslier (32.1) based on points per million.

NICK POPE

  • Points: 144
  • Points per match: 4.5
  • Start cost: £5.5m
  • End cost: £5.5m

Nick Pope couldn’t match his overall score or indeed value from 2019/20 but his points-per-match average in the season just gone was actually marginally better (4.5 v 4.47).

The Burnley man hit five double-digit hauls in the first half of 2020/21, with seven clean sheets arriving in his opening 17 appearances.

Pope was well on course to smash last year’s points total at the midway point of this campaign but a deterioration in the Clarets’ defensive numbers from late-January onwards and a couple of late-season injuries stalled his progress.

He remains a good bet for bonus points, with 20 of those arriving in his 32 appearances.

And save points flowed, too: there were 28 of them in all.

A price drop is possible for 2021/22 and there’ll be a decent number of takers if he does come in at the £5.0m mark.

SAM JOHNSTONE/ALPHONSE AREOLA

JOHNSTONE

  • Points: 140
  • Points per match: 3.8
  • Start cost: £4.5m
  • End cost: £4.6m

AREOLA

  • Points: 124
  • Points per match: 3.4
  • Start cost: £4.5m
  • End cost: £4.5m

Goalkeepers of relegated clubs often make an appearance in our end-of-season polls, usually because they have been kept extremely busy.

Sam Johnstone rarely had a moment’s peace in the West Brom goal, making more saves (166) than any other goalkeeper in 2020/21.

That translated into a whopping 43 save points, which helped compensate for a dismal clean sheet total (six) and resulted in him tying with Mendy and Alisson for points.

Only Pope, Meslier and Martinez registered more bonus points than Johnstone (19) among FPL goalkeepers.

Alphonse Areola is more than a little fortunate to make the cut in this poll, with only his value (the fourth-best figure for points per million among goalkeepers) and a purple patch of form from Gameweeks 13-27 to boast of.

Eight of his nine clean sheets in 2020/21 arrived in the middle third of the campaign.


107 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez!

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I don't know why we're even running a vote. Areola, fer flip's sake.

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Liverpool fans might feel their goalie come striker deserves a mention but yes, this is going to be a walkover

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      All day

    3. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Has to be

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ederson, most cs, golden glove, it is that simple

    1. Calculated Risks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It's best fpl players, so it's Martinez, it's that simple. Had him from week 3, never looked back. Most points, double digit hauls, and got him at 4.5. What's not to love?

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It’s not that simple though because it’s best FPL keeper, not best keeper.

      1. Haa-lala-land
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Wouldn't it then be whichever GK has the highest total points score at the end of the season is the best GK in FF?

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Well Martinez got that anyway, but it's not just that. It's how many points he got in relation to his price too, because you'll have more money to gain points elsewhere that way. And it's also who they play for. If you can get a great keeper from Aston Villa instead of Manchester City, you can get other Manchester City in other positions.

  3. SUNFLOWER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Has to be Martinez for me. Brought him into my team in GW5 and he never left.

  4. Studs Up
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    The gk who just set the highest pts total in fpl history...how's it even a vote?

    1. tambourineman
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Friedel isn't nominated unfortunately

      1. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Aah, missed it by one...oops!

      2. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Triple Villa defence
        Friedel-Collins-Dunne

  5. SuperG
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Where’s Pickford?

    1. Geriatric Unathletic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Last seen at Gatwick ...:).

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Picking the ball up from the back of the net.

  6. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I would be very surprised if the following were *not* in the team of the season:

    Martinez, Dallas, Cresswell, Fernandes, Salah, Son, Kane, Bamford

    1. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      This

    2. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not sure about Cresswell - Justin was cheaper and better value until he got injured, and some might prefer Trent or a City or Chelsea defender - but I agree with the other seven.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        You've just made Diesel very surprised.

      2. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        And Coufal was available as a kinda budget option in the same defence.

  7. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Want to give a shooutout to Button. Really loyal player in my squad, warming the bench over several years now. Truly deserves this price

  8. Rassi
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Never had Martinez this season and it really hurt my rank. Given his price, no doubt he is the run away fpl gk of the season. Anyone saying anything else is just trying to be different for the sake of it.

    1. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      earned me 90 points overall on the top 10k, truly season defining

  9. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    If you run or know any good cash leagues for next year let me know their twitter @

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      #giveusyermoney

  10. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I only got 6 points from Martinez this season; in game week 14.

    In hindsight, a massive blunder but part of it, was a hesitancy to use transfers on a goalkeeper and also every time i watched Villa, the opposition were getting lots of chances, so i wasn't confident of clean sheets.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Villa defence this season was very much like Leicester defence in 2015/16. They throw their bodies on the line, get fortunate bounces, GK plays better than he is etc.

      That is borne out in the stats. Leicester in 15/16 had xGA of 45 (rank 8), but only conceded 36 (rank 3). Villa in 20/21 had xGA of 54 (rank 12) but only conceded 46 (rank 7).

      I posted yesterday that outside of the Big 6, only 7 clubs have had a CS rate of more than 33.33% in any one season in the last 5 years:

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/05/23/michael-coone-crowned-2020-21-fpl-champion/?hc_page=1&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_23830034

      Aston Villa's defensive performance this season was exceptional, but do not expect it to last.

  11. djman102
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I can tell you who is NOT in contention. One of my biggest mistakes of the season until I finally got rid on my GW14 WC for Martinez. I'm embarrassed to present...

    ...Matt Ryan

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Very easy vote for me.

  13. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    There is NO vote here, Martinez indisputable.

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Agreed mate!!! Was in my gameweek 2 WC!!! Best FPL 4.5 I think I’ve ever spent!!!

      1. gonzalocampos
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Same here, WC on GW 3.

  14. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez 5.5 next season we think??

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That's what Pope started as this season so probably.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah seems sensible mate, 6.0 would seem a bit too steep imo!!

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Prob. 5 minimum.

      Time to find another 4.5 gem

  15. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thought there would be more Euro content and chat around here.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      England has not picked its team yet

  16. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    FPL is over. 😥

    How do I fill this supermassive black hole in my life?

    (No interest in the Euros).

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Eat like a horse?

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Work out how to get better at FPL?

      You have a chance to grab loads of data in the next few days. Could use it to your advantage.

    3. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Why have you no interest in the Euros?

    4. Euro Raiders
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It’ll be back again soon enough. Enjoy the break. Watching the Euros does help a little bit with future planning.

    5. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Enjoy the time off

    6. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cricket?

    7. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      There are alternative sports Gaelic Football and Hurling championships.

  17. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    If Sanchez is 4.5 next year he could be a reasonable value shout, but I bet he’s 5.0.

  18. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What price Meslier next season? 5.0 and I might have him, finished the season well, improving and loves a save.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Sounds right

      4.5 options to be Dubravka, Sanchez, McCarthy/Forster/new Saints signing, Guaita, and the promoted keepers.

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I'll be all over Sanchez if he's £4.5m, Brighton's defence finally started delivering on those excellent underlying stats in the second half of the season. Suspect Zen Arcade is right though.

      2. Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Dubravka will be 5

      3. Boberella
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Sanchez will be 5m surely. Martinez 5.5m id say

  19. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    My team Gw1 2021/22 season

    Messlier

    TAA Cresswell 4.5 4.5 4.0

    Bruno Salah Mount Raphina Willock

    Bamford Antonio Watkins

    1. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No offence but who cares lol as if you can plan that now

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2m over budget imo, need to downgrade Willock to a 4 5m.

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Start again and this time add a 2nd goal keeper, lol

    4. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      But it won't be. So what on earth is the point of that post. 🙄

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Harmless fun?

    5. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It is akin to buying imaginary chairs for the titanic and subsequently rearranging them. With knowing the price of any of the chairs.
      I think you will be better off deleting all your fpl bookmarks and come back the week before the season's kick off.

    6. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Way to early for this, but Nacho before any of those forwards.
      Coufal to outscore Cresswell next year.
      Bamford to be a shadow of this season.
      No city not a good idea

    7. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That team once you had a 2nd GK worth about 105m next year?

  20. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any mods here who would have an idea when career HoF might be updated?

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Any hope of it crashing and been deleted forever? 😀

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      End of season HoF should be done with an article announcing it.
      When, hopefully June.

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers TM

  21. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Keen but anyone know when the new seasons FPL opens up?

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      When this site gets excited and starts guessing prices and fpl gives teasers. Which is normally about 6 weeks prior to kick off.

  22. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    12 hour pages

  23. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I will buy taa even if he is 10m

    1. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Same here! He should be around 7.5 again you'd think though yeah?

    2. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Many said on here last year that he is season keeper , then they sold him even he was not injuried.

  24. Boberella
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez obviously the best FPL Keeper, but Johnstone has been impressive and will be interesting to see if he ends up in the Prem next season. I hope he does.

  25. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Best 5.5m MID in Euro Fantasy?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Perhaps David Alaba of Austria

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        There’s only one David Alaba as far I’m concerned

  26. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    There are two kinds of people in the world:

    1. Those who say Martinez was the best FPL keeper in 20/21
    2. Liars

  27. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    as per price got to Martinez.. Villa found a gem.

  28. Toddy28
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any one got Kane... Mbappe and Ronaldo in Euro 2020 fantasy game

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Avoiding both Mbappe and Ronaldo due to fixtures

  29. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    5 Under archiever in GW 20-38

    Salah, Antonio, Vardy, DCL and Mount

    8 players overarchieved

    Kane, Bruno, Nacho, Mane, Raphinha, Jesus, Bam, Sterling (suprise right?)

    All these players top 13 for XGI in that period.

    1. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Most GI

      Kane 14 , 11 goals, 3 assists
      Nacho 14
      Bruno 12
      Bam 12
      Salah 11
      Raph 11
      Antonio 10
      Mane 10
      Jesus 10
      Sterling 9
      Vardy 8
      Mount 6
      Dcl 5

      1. 3 A
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Not done yet. Lol

  30. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    For those screenshotting ML leaderboards and overall ranks, what’s the best and most aesthetic way to do this- on the phone website or via laptop? 😀

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Crayon