Ranking the Top 5 English Premier League Goalkeepers of the Season

The season seems to moving rapidly with very little time to break down the best players in each position, so this slideshow and a few others will help you identify the five best performers in various positions.

This is a brief look at how players have fared since August 2011, when the season started, up till the current week.

Consideration has been taken into both defensive and attacking attributes but most importantly, how players fared in comparison to the match outcome and team performance.

Like any ranking list, only a select number of players are chosen. Keeping that in mind...here goes.

Michel Vorm

Team: Swansea 

Age: 28

Nationality: Dutch

Vorm has been outstanding since the start of the season. Despite playing in one of the smaller teams having just joined the Premier League, the Welsh outfit seems to have come with the right attitude.

Currently placed at a decent 13th position, having conceded 27 goals to date Vorm has been excellent in front of the sticks.

His individual match-saving performances are the reason why he's become one of the most sought-after keepers, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United looking to pounce on his services.

Brad Friedel

Team: Tottenham Hotspur

Age: 40

Nationality: American

When Friedel joined Spurs many predicted that the former Blackburn Rovers keeper would play as backup to Gomez, who's stood in goal for most of the last few seasons.

But Harry Redknapp had other ideas, ideas that seem to have worked thus far.

Friedel has used every ounce of his experience to help guide Spurs to the top tier of the Premier League, an area once dominated by four clubs (Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea). 

Spurs have conceded just 24 goals, proving how vital Friedel's experience has been at the back.

Joe Hart

Team: Manchester City

Age: 24

Nationality: English

City's defensive record speaks for itself, just 18 goals conceded in 22 games proves how well built the back line is, with Hart ensuring nothing passes him.

Manchester City have grown each year since the big takeover. Roberto Mancini has taken extra care in ensuring a strong defense, a key attribute of any Italian coach.

But Hart has times when he was left to make the effort all by himself, pulling off some acrobatic saves in crucial matches.

Tim Howard

Team: Everton

Age: 32

Nationality: American

Not often you see so many Americans in one list. Well, here is the second US goalkeeper to feature, and it's a well-deserved mention.

Everton might not find themselves close to the top, currently just below Swansea in 14th position having conceded 26 goals, but that doesn't take away the quality that Howard brings. He's been key to Everton's current success.

Pepe Reina

Team: Liverpool

Age: 29

Nationality: Spanish

Failing to win the important games and lacking significant confidence to push at the right times has been the downfall of the current Liverpool team.

But by no means has Pepe Reina disappointed. In terms of goals conceded, Reina's defensive lines are only equal to Manchester United, in second place with just 21 goals.