The French Ligue 1 is one of the most exciting and captivating leagues in Europe that has produced many fantastic and charismatic goalkeepers. Keepers like Vincent Enyeama, Fabian Barthez, and Hugo Lloris have emerged in the French top flight. The league today also has its fair share of outstanding goalkeepers. In this blog post, we will profile the best defenders in the Ligue 1 in 2022.
1. Keylor Navas
The great Costa Rican goalkeeper has continued to maintain his high standards of quality goalkeeping, and has been one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue for years now.
The 35-year-old is an agile goalkeeper with sharp reflexes, ball-playing abilities, and excellent ball distribution.
Navas sometimes had to take a back seat last season, but when he was called upon, he showed his true worth expertly manning the sticks for his club Paris Saint Germain.
Keylor conceded 18 goals in 21 appearances with 13 clean sheets in the league, making him one of the top goalkeepers in the French League.
2. Jonas Omlin
Omlin is a Swiss goalkeeper on the books of Ligue 1 side Montpellier. The 28-year-old was one of the best performers in the league last season, conceding only 41 goals in 29 appearances.
Jonas was also able to keep 9 clean sheets despite missing the beginning of the last campaign due to injury. His cat-like reflexes, agility, and command has been the bright spot for Montpellier.
Hopefully, this season will be much better for the Swiss international.
3. Alban Lafont
Alban Lafont is an French goalkeeper who, on the books of Ligue 1 side Nantes.
The 23-year-old was one of the best performers in the league last with his assured keeping and sharp reflexes.
He became the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in the Ligue 1 when he made his debut for Toulouse at the age of 16.
Lafont featured in 38 games for Nantes, conceding only 48 goals throughout the campaign, making him one of the safest hands in the League.
The talented young goalkeeper is a remarkable shot-stopper with great ability to save penalties. He also kept 8 clean sheets in the 2021/22 season.
4. Alexander Nübel
Alexander Nübel is an AS Monaco player on loan from German side Bayern Munich. The former Germany youth international is one of the best young goalkeepers in the French Ligue 1.
The 25-year-old kept all 38 league games, conceding just 40 goals while keeping a respectable 11 clean sheets.
Alexander, can follow on from a fantastic debut league campaign to establish himself as one of the top goalkeepers in France.
5. Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Italian international goalkeeper had a less than stellar season for Paris Saint Germain, going by his high standards.
The 23-year-old struggled to tie down the number one spot in PSG last season due to uncharacteristic inconsistent performances.
Despite not playing to his expected high levels, Donnarumma still featured quite a bit last term playing 16 matches and conceding 17.
Gianluigi was also able to keep 5 clean sheets throughout the Ligue 1 season.
The big man from Castellammare di Stabia will be hoping to regain his form for the upcoming season and reclaim his place as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Notable Mentions:
Other top goalkeepers in Ligue 1 in 2022 are:
- Predrag Rajkovic (Reims)
- Anthony Lopes (Lyon)
- Marco Bizot (Brest)
- Matz Sels (Strasbourg).
