Raya, Alisson, Ederson… Martinez? Our writers debate who is the best goalkeeper in Europe

Premier League keepers leading the way after conceding one goal in four matches in unbeaten opening week for their clubs in Champions League

Following David Raya’s stunning double save to earn Arsenal a draw at Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday night, Telegraph Sport’s football writers have been pondering who is the best goalkeeper in Europe.
Read their verdicts, vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section below…
A Premier League goalkeeping coach said to me last year that David Raya would be the best in the world – if only he was a little bit taller. At 6ft he is relatively small for a modern goalkeeper but he is putting himself in the conversation with his outstanding form for Arsenal. But Europe’s best? The 29-year-old is up against some extraordinary competition and not least AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and Paris St-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. Personally I think Raya is only the third/fourth best goalkeeper in the Premier League arguably behind Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez. Europe’s No 1 is Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, then Manchester City’s Ederson.
Given the best goalkeeper in the world is Emi Martinez, then it is pretty obvious that he is also the best goalkeeper in Europe. While others may struggle to look past their noses and look towards Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid to find their candidates, it is Aston Villa who have the game’s best goalkeeper. No other goalkeeper is as influential on the teams he plays for as Martinez is for Argentina and Villa. It is no coincidence that Argentina started to win things again when Martinez came on the scene and Villa’s qualification for the Champions League owed as much to the man nicknamed ‘Dibu’ as it did to the goals of Ollie Watkins. 
The term “purple patch” is usually reserved for midfielders and forwards who have hit a sudden goalscoring streak. It is rare indeed for it to apply to goalkeepers, but that is the best description of what David Raya is currently doing in an Arsenal shirt. So far this season he has already produced astonishing saves against Wolves, Aston Villa and then Thursday night’s remarkable double stop against Atalanta. He has contributed three save-of-the-season contenders in only five matches. It is extraordinary. If we are basing this assessment on the past 12 months, you could, not reasonably, rank Raya ahead of the likes of Alisson Becker and Ederson as the best Premier League goalkeeper, let alone the best goalkeepers in Europe. But based on this season alone? He is clearly No 1.
DAVID RAYA, TAKE A BOW! One of the best double saves you’ll ever see 🤯📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sPgZF293QI
There is not a better ball playing goalkeeper in the world. His range of passing and composure under pressure is extraordinary. Ederson’s accurate long pass and Erling Haaland’s presence up front has given City the option to play direct at times and Guardiola has harnessed that weapon to excellent effect. There are probably better shot-stoppers and communicators, but the Brazilian is still adept in both areas and a very brave goalkeeper. 
All 4️⃣ of Ederson’s @premierleague assists 🧤🪄 pic.twitter.com/RaLynsTZSs
It is unclear if Alisson Becker’s untimely injury ahead of this weekend’s visit of Bournemouth to Anfield is related to Friday morning headlines declaring David Raya the world’s best keeper. The Brazilian could be forgiven for being hurt banging his head against the nearest wall. True greatness is defined by year upon year consistency and Alisson’s level is such that his excellence may be taken for granted. The fact he edges out the other world class keeper of the Premier League era, Ederson, as Brazil’s No 1 confirms his superiority.