A clean sheet in the Premier League is the goalkeeper’s version of a perfect night out: nothing goes wrong, everyone gets home safe, and no one’s left with regrets. It’s not glamorous, rarely headline-worthy, but when the final whistle blows and the scoreboard stays still, that’s the real victory for the one wearing gloves.
While strikers take the spotlight for goals and stepovers, goalkeepers live in a quieter world, one built on concentration, courage, and the kind of madness that makes a person want to throw themselves in front of flying footballs for a living.
It’s a job without much room for error, one slip and you’re the villain, one fingertip save and you’re the reason a team still believes.
Across three decades of Premier League football, some keepers have mastered that tightrope better than anyone else. They’ve piled up clean sheets season after season, turning reliability into legend.
The data is drawn from official Premier League records and aggregated sources. According to those, Petr Čech holds the record with 202 clean sheets
- What is a Clean Sheet
- 1. Petr Čech — 202 Clean Sheets
- 2. David James — 169 Clean Sheets
- 3. Mark Schwarzer — 152 Clean Sheets
- 4. David de Gea — 147 Clean Sheets
- 5. David Seaman — 141 Clean Sheets
- 6. Nigel Martyn — 137 Clean Sheets
- 7. Pepe Reina — 136 Clean Sheets
- 8. Edwin van der Sar — 132 Clean Sheets (tie)
- 9. Tim Howard — 132 Clean Sheets (tie)
- 10. Brad Friedel — 132 Clean Sheets (tie)
- What It Takes to Top the Clean Sheet Charts
What is a Clean Sheet
A “clean sheet” in football means a match in which the goalkeeper (and his defense) allows zero goals. In the Premier League, a clean sheet is a concrete piece of proof that a keeper and the back line stood firm under pressure.
Over time, the ability to consistently produce clean sheets becomes a measure of reliability, composure, leadership, and resilience.
Many factors beyond the keeper matter: defenders’ positioning, the team’s style, injuries, and the strength of opposition all come into play. Among all the goalkeepers who have ever stood between the sticks since the Premier League began in 1992, a handful have turned consistency into legacy.
Below is a rundown of the ten goalkeepers who recorded the most clean sheets in Premier League history, what made them exceptional, and how they earned their places in the record books.
1. Petr Čech — 202 Clean Sheets

To put Čech’s record into perspective: no other Premier League goalkeeper has yet matched 200 clean sheets.
Journey & Clubs
Čech came to England from Rennes, joining Chelsea in 2004. Over his spell in the Premier League with Chelsea and later with Arsenal, he became synonymous with defensive strength. His presence in goal gave his teams confidence.
Highlights & Milestones
- Čech holds the record for most clean sheets in a single Premier League season: 24 in 2004–05.
- He is also the fastest to 100 Premier League clean sheets, doing so in just 180 matches.
- At Chelsea, he amassed 162 out of his 202 clean sheets, making it the most clean sheets by a keeper at one club in Premier League history.
- Čech won the Golden Glove (most clean sheets in a season) four times (so does Joe Hart).
Style & Strengths
Čech had excellent positioning, calmness under pressure, and mental strength. After recovering from a serious head injury in 2006, he refined his style, relying more on anticipation and reading the game. He often dominated one-on-one situations and was particularly effective in big matches.
His record is such that future goalkeepers on this list are chasing a benchmark that may stand for decades.
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2. David James — 169 Clean Sheets

If Čech is the “peak,” David James represents longevity and reliability. He played more Premier League matches than any other goalkeeper.
Journey & Clubs
James’ career spanned many clubs: Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City, and Portsmouth. He moved frequently, but always remained a first-choice keeper in many campaigns.
Highlights & Achievements
- His 169 clean sheets stand as the second-highest total in Premier League history.
- He recorded penalty saves—13 in total—the most by any Premier League goalkeeper.
- He had 572 Premier League appearances, a tally unmatched by any keeper.
- James did not win a Premier League title, but his consistency made him one of the respected figures of his era.
Style & Strengths
James’ strength lay in reflexes and shot-stopping. He was agile, good at diving saves, and often bailed out defensive errors. Although sometimes criticized for occasional mistakes, his ability to rebound and produce clean sheets consistently made him highly valued at every club he played for.
3. Mark Schwarzer — 152 Clean Sheets

Mark Schwarzer’s career is defined by perseverance, adaptability, and subtle brilliance. He is perhaps underrated in mainstream discussions, but his numbers speak volumes.
Journey & Clubs
Schwarzer arrived in the Premier League at Middlesbrough, then moved to Fulham, Chelsea, and finished his top-flight career at Leicester City. He played well into his forties.
Highlights & Milestones
- He recorded 152 clean sheets. In many sources, his total is given as 151 (depending on record adjustments), but he is firmly placed third overall in all major lists.
- Schwarzer had 514 Premier League appearances – the most by a non-British keeper.
- In his last Premier League match at age 42 years, 159 days, he kept a clean sheet for Leicester against Hull.
Style & Strengths
Schwarzer’s strengths were consistency, handling, and reading crosses. He was rarely spectacular, but rarely vulnerable. He provided a calm presence behind his defense, and his experience allowed him to adapt to different defensive setups.
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4. David de Gea — 147 Clean Sheets

David de Gea’s time in Manchester United was polarizing at times, but his ability to record clean sheets under intense scrutiny earned him this place in the list.
Journey & Club
De Gea joined Manchester United in 2011. Over about 12 seasons, he became the club’s backbone in goal, playing through tactical changes, managerial shifts, and high expectations.
Highlights & Achievements
- His 147 clean sheets are the fourth-highest total in Premier League history.
- He holds the record for most clean sheets at Manchester United in the Premier League.
- De Gea also won a Premier League title with United (2012–13).
Style & Strengths
In his prime, De Gea’s reflex saves were among the best in Europe. He was especially sharp in one-on-one situations, diving stops, and rapid lateral movements.
Over time, questions emerged about high balls and commanding the area, but his sheer volume of clean sheets shows that more often than not, he delivered.
5. David Seaman — 141 Clean Sheets

David Seaman was a pillar of Arsenal during the 1990s and early 2000s and remains one of England’s most beloved goalkeepers.
Journey & Clubs
Seaman spent his most significant years at Arsenal. He later had a brief Premier League return with Manchester City.
Highlights & Milestones
- Seaman recorded 141 clean sheets—some sources list 140 depending on data rounding.
- He was key during the dominant Arsenal sides that won league titles and Cups. While clean sheets alone don’t tell all, his consistency added to Arsenal’s defensive strength.
- Seaman’s safe handling, positional sense, and calm command of his box made him a dependable pick for Arsenal and England.
Style & Strengths
He was known for his calmness under pressure, good handling, and ability to organize the defense. He wasn’t among the flashiest, but he did his job reliably.
He also had strong aerial ability and rarely panicked in crises.
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6. Nigel Martyn — 137 Clean Sheets

Nigel Martyn’s inclusion feels slightly underrated in wider discussions, but his performances deserve recognition.
Journey & Clubs
Martyn’s Premier League career began at Crystal Palace, then he moved to Leeds United, and ended in the top flight with Everton.
Highlights & Achievements
- His total of 137 clean sheets places him sixth all-time.
- At Leeds, he was vital in their strong performances in league and continental competitions. While clean sheets in the Premier League don’t capture all of that, they reflect the solidity he brought.
- At Everton, even as time passed, Martyn retained high standards, cementing his legacy.
Style & Strengths
Martyn had excellent reflexes and performed very well in difficult situations. He read the game well, commanded his area, and was calm in one-on-one duels. He helped stabilize defenses and gave his teams confidence.
7. Pepe Reina — 136 Clean Sheets

Pepe Reina’s time in English football brought flair, personality, and reliable goalkeeping.
Journey & Clubs
Reina joined Liverpool in 2005, where he spent his best years. Later, he came back to England with Aston Villa.
Highlights & Milestones
- His 136 clean sheets place him seventh in Premier League history.
- During his Liverpool years, he won three consecutive Golden Glove awards (2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08).
- Reina was among the early keepers who combined shot-stopping with good distribution, beginning a shift toward modern goalkeeping.
Style & Strengths
Reina was vocal, good with his feet, and adept at sweeping behind the defensive line. He had agility, good positioning, and could start attacks from his goal.
His consistency and comfort in playing out from the back added a modern touch to his game.
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8. Edwin van der Sar — 132 Clean Sheets (tie)

Edwin van der Sar’s career carried weight beyond numbers. His presence in Manchester United’s dominance and his records make him a memorable figure.
Journey & Clubs
Van der Sar arrived in the Premier League first at Fulham, later moving to Manchester United. His years at United were the high point.
Highlights & Records
- His 132 clean sheets tie him for 8th place
- He holds the record for longest consecutive sequence without conceding in the Premier League: 1,311 minutes in 2008–09. That’s 14 full matches.
- His composure, especially in big matches, helped United’s domestic and European successes.
Style & Strengths
Van der Sar was elegant, precise, and highly calm under pressure. He read plays well, rarely rushed, and organized his defense. His positional intelligence and ability to command his area were central to United’s defensive solidity.
9. Tim Howard — 132 Clean Sheets (tie)

In a tie with van der Sar, Tim Howard’s inclusion underlines how consistent he was over a long period in the Premier League.
Journey & Clubs
Howard started at Manchester United, then moved to Everton, where he spent most of his Premier League career.
Highlights & Milestones
- His total of 132 matches van der Sar in clean sheets.
- He made 399 Premier League appearances, often performing when his club was under defensive pressure.
- Howard is also among the few goalkeepers to have scored a goal in the Premier League (a long kick that caught the opposing keeper off guard).
Style & Strengths
Howard’s strengths included shot-stopping, reflexes, and composure under fire. He was excellent when his team was under siege. Though sometimes criticized for inconsistencies, his regular clean sheets show that he often carried his team when needed.
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10. Brad Friedel — 132 Clean Sheets (tie)

Brad Friedel rounds out the top ten, tying with van der Sar and Howard. His longevity and durability are legendary.
Journey & Clubs
Friedel played for Liverpool early in his career, then Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur during his Premier League tenure.
Highlights & Achievements
- His 132 clean sheets place him level with van der Sar and Howard.
- Friedel made consecutive appearances across many seasons (at one point holding a run of 310 consecutive Premier League games).
- He also scored a goal during his Premier League career (for Blackburn) — another keeper on this list to have done so.
Style & Strengths
Friedel was known for consistency, durability, and safe hands. He was a classic, no-nonsense keeper: solid in all standard tasks, rarely spectacular but rarely wrong. His athleticism and focus allowed him to compete at high level into his 40s.
What It Takes to Top the Clean Sheet Charts
Looking across these ten goalkeepers, several patterns and insights emerge:
1. Longevity matters heavily
Keeping clean sheets requires many games under your belt. Several keepers on this list accumulated their totals over 12–15+ years. Records like David James’ appearances (572) underline how much consistent opportunity contributes to high totals.
2. Early peak years help
Čech’s rapid rise, winning 24 clean sheets in a season, and hitting 100 in just 180 matches, gave him an early buffer. That head start allowed him to build a lead that others could not catch.
3. Consistency over flashiness
Most of these keepers were not known for highlight-reel saves alone; they were known for doing their job match after match. Stability, concentration, and positioning ruled. Van der Sar, Seaman, Schwarzer, Martyn—all built reputations through steadiness rather than spectacle.
4. Club defense matters
A strong defensive unit makes clean sheets more achievable. These keepers often played in teams with good defensive setups. Sometimes their presence elevated the defense; in other cases, they benefited from solid backlines.
5. Adapting with age
Some of these keepers changed style over time. Čech shifted to greater reliance on reading rather than athleticism after injury. Schwarzer became more positioning-based in his later years. Experience helped make up for any decline in agility.
6. None of them is average
Even the ones with “lower” totals on this list are exceptional compared to typical keepers. To reach 100+ clean sheets in Premier League history is itself a milestone shared by just 17 keepers.
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Notable Mentions (Just Outside Top 10)
While not in the top ten list above, a few other goalkeepers deserve mention for surpassing 100 clean sheets or for remarkable performances:
- Peter Schmeichel – Early on, he was the first to reach 100 clean sheets in the Premier League era.
- Joe Hart – He is among the clean sheet club and has won the Golden Glove multiple times.
- Ederson, Hugo Lloris, Shay Given, Jussi Jääskeläinen, Thomas Sorensen – All reached or approached 100 Premier League clean sheets during their careers