Best FPL Goalkeepers 2026/27: Budget and Premium Picks Ranked

The best FPL goalkeepers for 2026/27

Choosing a goalkeeper is rarely the most exciting part of building a Fantasy Premier League squad, but the wrong choice can quietly cost points and money throughout the season.

The best goalkeeper for your squad depends on clean-sheet potential, expected saves, bonus-point potential, opening fixtures, price, cheaper defenders from the same club, whether your reserve goalkeeper is expected to play and when you expect to use your first Wildcard.

Every goalkeeper ranked below is currently listed in the 2026/27 FPL player pool. The Premier League season begins on Friday 21 August 2026, so review these rankings after the final pre-season matches and press conferences. For a wider pre-season checklist, see our Gameweek 1 mistakes guide.

Quick verdict

Best FPL goalkeepers at a glance

The FPL Assistant scores are editorial ratings based on price, expected starts, clean sheets, saves, bonus potential, fixtures and squad flexibility. They are not official FPL projections.

What has changed for goalkeepers in 2026/27?

Goalkeepers can now earn an additional Bonus Points System point for saving a big chance. The previous bonus for saving a shot from outside the penalty area has been removed. Penalty saves now earn seven BPS directly rather than eight because a saved penalty also qualifies as a big-chance save.

Jordan Pickford led the league with 28 big-chance saves last season. Caoimhín Kelleher followed with 27, while Dean Henderson recorded 26. Kelleher also saved three penalties.

This does not mean you should automatically choose a goalkeeper from a poor defence. Constantly facing major chances will eventually lead to goals conceded. It slightly increases the appeal of keepers such as Pickford, Kelleher and Henderson, who combine clean-sheet potential with a record of difficult saves.

What is the current community consensus?

There is no clear essential goalkeeper in early FPL drafts. Managers looking for a £4.5m starter are generally discussing Bart Verbruggen, Antonin Kinsky, Djordje Petrović and Bernd Leno. Verbruggen is the most consistently recommended because Brighton finished last season strongly and he offers a secure route into their defence.

Managers willing to spend more are debating Jordan Pickford and Caoimhín Kelleher. Pickford is viewed as the safer set-and-forget option, while Kelleher saves £0.5m and offers a higher save and penalty-save ceiling. David Raya remains the premium option, but the money may produce more points when spent on an outfield player.

1. Bart Verbruggen — Brighton

Price: £4.5m · FPL Assistant score: 8.7/10

Verbruggen is our best value goalkeeper for the start of 2026/27. He returned 130 FPL points last season and recorded one of the strongest save percentages among regular Premier League goalkeepers. Brighton conceded only 46 goals and ended the campaign with five clean sheets in their final ten matches.

From Gameweek 28 onwards, Brighton allowed only 18 big chances, the lowest number in the league during that period. Fixtures against Leeds and Coventry strengthen the early case, although Conference League qualifying could create fatigue within the defence.

Buy him if you want the best balance of price, security and clean-sheet potential. Avoid him if you plan to own several Brighton defenders or do not trust the European schedule.

Verdict: The strongest goalkeeper for managers who want to protect their budget without sacrificing quality.

2. Jordan Pickford — Everton

Price: £5.5m · FPL Assistant score: 8.6/10

Pickford is our preferred set-and-forget goalkeeper. Everton rank first on the early fixture ticker, with two promoted clubs plus Crystal Palace and Bournemouth in the opening six Gameweeks.

He scored 135 FPL points last season and led the league for big-chance saves with 28. That combination of clean-sheet potential, saves and bonus points gives him several routes to returns. The question is value: he costs £1.0m more than Verbruggen, and that money could strengthen an outfield position.

Buy him if you want to choose one goalkeeper and forget about the position until your Wildcard. Avoid him if you urgently need the extra £1.0m elsewhere.

Verdict: The best premium-value compromise and safest set-and-forget selection.

3. Caoimhín Kelleher — Brentford

Price: £5.0m · FPL Assistant score: 8.4/10

Kelleher may have the highest weekly ceiling in the ranking. He finished last season with 143 points, made an excellent number of saves and stopped three penalties. Three saves earn one point, six earn two, and a penalty stop produces five points before bonus.

Brentford kept only 10 clean sheets, so Kelleher is a bet on saves and bonus as much as the defence. Several £4.5m Brentford defenders exist, but none offers the same save-point potential.

Buy him if you prefer an active goalkeeper capable of saves, penalties and bonus points. Avoid him if you want to rely mainly on clean sheets from a strong defence.

Verdict: The best save-point goalkeeper and an excellent middle-ground option at £5.0m.

4. David Raya — Arsenal

Price: £6.0m · FPL Assistant score: 8.2/10

Raya is the safest route into the strongest defence in the league. Arsenal kept 19 clean sheets last season and Raya finished as the highest-scoring FPL goalkeeper with 162 points and 11 bonus points.

At £6.0m he is expensive, but Arsenal's defender prices make the comparison less straightforward. Raya can be the least complicated way to own Arsenal's defence, although dominant matches may produce few save opportunities.

Buy him if you want Arsenal defensive coverage without paying £8.0m for Gabriel. Avoid him if you want three Arsenal outfield players or need the money elsewhere.

Verdict: The safest premium pick, but not automatically the best value.

5. Senne Lammens — Manchester United

Price: £5.0m · FPL Assistant score: 8.0/10

Lammens is one of the strongest fixture-based selections. Manchester United start with promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town, and United improved defensively after Michael Carrick took charge last season.

He scored 109 FPL points last season and offers save-point potential. The obvious alternative is Luke Shaw at £4.5m, so Lammens is most useful when you want United's goalkeeper and do not plan to own Shaw.

Buy him if you want to attack the opening fixtures. Avoid him if Shaw is already in your defence.

Verdict: A strong Gameweek 1 option, but squad structure determines whether the extra money is worthwhile.

6. Robert Sánchez — Chelsea

Price: £5.0m · FPL Assistant score: 7.8/10

Sánchez is an interesting route into Chelsea's defence. Chelsea have changed manager, strengthened their defensive options and do not have European football disrupting their domestic schedule. He scored 113 points last season and should receive regular opportunities for clean sheets if the new system succeeds.

The difficulty is trust. Sánchez has produced both excellent and poor performances, so managers may prefer evidence that the new structure improves Chelsea's defence.

Buy him if you believe Chelsea's new structure will produce more clean sheets. Avoid him if you want evidence before committing or already plan to own a Chelsea defender.

Verdict: A good £5.0m differential with genuine upside, but not yet as dependable as Kelleher.

7. Djordje Petrović — Bournemouth

Price: £4.5m · FPL Assistant score: 7.5/10

Petrović scored 124 points last season and made 109 saves. Bournemouth were particularly strong at home, but they have lost key defensive personnel, changed head coach and will manage European football for the first time. Their opening six fixtures are among the most difficult.

Buy him if you trust his individual save ability and can hold through difficult fixtures. Avoid him if you want an immediate clean-sheet opportunity.

Verdict: A good goalkeeper whose team circumstances make him harder to recommend for Gameweek 1.

8. Nick Pope — Newcastle United

Price: £5.0m · FPL Assistant score: 7.3/10

Pope is a fixture-based differential. Newcastle rank third on the early fixture ticker and have favourable games against Leeds, Bournemouth and two promoted teams, but Pope scored only 96 points last season.

Newcastle are undergoing major change, and Pope made several costly errors last season. He is interesting for managers who want a lower-owned goalkeeper, but the defensive structure needs to show signs of improvement.

Verdict: An attractive differential, but not the stability pick.

9. Dean Henderson — Crystal Palace

Price: £5.0m · FPL Assistant score: 7.1/10

Henderson combines a strong defence with excellent big-chance-save numbers. Palace finished joint-third for clean sheets last season, while Henderson saved 26 big chances and scored 131 FPL points.

He ranks ninth because Tyrick Mitchell costs £4.5m and may play as a wing-back, while Daniel Muñoz offers attacking returns. Palace also face Manchester City in Gameweek 2.

Buy him if you want Palace coverage but do not trust the minutes or attacking role of their defenders. Avoid him if Mitchell or Muñoz is already in your team.

Verdict: A good goalkeeper overshadowed by more attractive defensive teammates.

10. Bernd Leno — Fulham

Price: £4.5m · FPL Assistant score: 6.9/10

Leno is the unfashionable but reliable option. He scored 122 points last season and saved 22 big chances. Fulham allowed relatively few shots on target, but they also conceded the third-most big chances.

Fulham have a difficult first five matches before their fixtures improve sharply from Gameweek 6, when they face Ipswich, Hull and Coventry in succession.

Buy him if you are prepared to hold until Fulham's fixtures improve. Avoid him if you intend to Wildcard early or prioritise immediate fixtures.

Verdict: A dependable goalkeeper who becomes much more attractive from Gameweek 6.

Full goalkeeper comparison

Should you spend £4.5m, £5.0m or £6.0m?

The £4.5m strategy

Select Verbruggen and use the savings elsewhere. The jump from a £4.5m goalkeeper to a £6.0m goalkeeper costs £1.5m — enough to upgrade a defender, a midfielder or a bench player. Those upgrades may offer more attacking routes to points.

The £5.0m strategy

Kelleher or Lammens provides a useful middle ground. You gain stronger save or fixture potential without paying the full premium price. This works particularly well when you do not plan to own a defender from Brentford or Manchester United.

The £5.5m strategy

Pickford is worth considering because his opening fixtures and save record are unusually strong. The extra £1.0m over Verbruggen buys greater fixture security and proven haul potential.

The £6.0m strategy

Raya is the luxury selection. He offers regular clean-sheet potential and avoids Arsenal defender rotation, but the issue is what the missing £1.5m does to the rest of your squad. Compare the wider trade-off with our budget midfielders guide.

One goalkeeper or two playing goalkeepers?

For most managers, the best structure is one dependable starting goalkeeper plus a £4.0m reserve.

Rotating two £4.5m goalkeepers sounds clever, but it costs an additional £0.5m, inevitably benches some points, and turns unpredictable goalkeeper returns into a weekly decision. Goalkeeper transfers also normally offer limited upside.

The current £4.0m bracket does not appear to contain an obvious starting goalkeeper. Do not build your squad around the assumption that one will emerge.

This structure also leaves more budget for a reliable defensive starter. Our £4.5m defender guide compares the low-cost defenders who can make that approach work.

Best goalkeeper rotation

Verbruggen and Kinsky — £9.0m

This pairing is widely discussed because both cost £4.5m. Kinsky could become Tottenham's first choice if Guglielmo Vicario leaves, but his starting position is not secure and Brighton and Tottenham do not rotate as cleanly as many managers assume.

Verbruggen plus a £4.0m Brighton backup

Pairing Verbruggen with Jason Steele provides cover if Verbruggen misses a match. The disadvantage is that both places come from Brighton, meaning you cannot own three Brighton outfield players.

Pickford plus a £4.0m reserve

This costs £9.5m but removes the need to make weekly goalkeeper decisions. Pickford's fixtures, saves and security mean there should be little reason to bench him.

If you are considering a strong bench for a chip, our Bench Boost guide explains when that extra depth is worth paying for.

Goalkeepers to monitor

• Antonin Kinsky — Tottenham, £4.5m: Could become a top-value pick if Vicario leaves and Tottenham confirm him as first choice.
• Robin Roefs — Sunderland, £5.0m: Scored 136 points last season, but Arsenal and Manchester City make his early fixtures awkward.
• James Trafford — Manchester City, £5.0m: Relevant if a move to Leeds and a first-choice role are confirmed.
• Ipswich goalkeepers: The position is unsettled following summer recruitment, so wait for a clear pre-season first choice.

Do not select any of these players solely because transfer reports make their future sound settled. Starting roles need confirmation.

Which goalkeeper should you choose?

Final FPL Assistant verdict

For most managers, Bart Verbruggen at £4.5m is the sensible choice. He provides strong value, secure minutes and access to a Brighton defence that improved significantly at the end of last season.

Managers willing to spend more should consider Jordan Pickford. Everton's fixtures and his big-chance-save record make him the strongest set-and-forget option. Caoimhín Kelleher offers the greatest save and penalty-save potential, while David Raya is the premium choice for dependable Arsenal coverage.

Do not overspend on two goalkeepers simply to chase fixture rotation. Select one goalkeeper you trust, put a £4.0m option on the bench and use the remaining money where attacking returns are easier to predict.