Lord Protectors Playing It Safe

Photo Credit: Lars Baron/FIFA/Getty Images

The goalkeeping at the 2014 World Cup has been of the highest order. Thankfully there have been plenty of goals in Brazil, however we would have had many more but for the agility and professionalism of the men between the sticks.

Some great goalkeepers, such as Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) and Manuel Neuer (Germany), were already world-renowned coming in the event, and have added to their reputation. However others have used this world stage to make their name. And perhaps to get themselves summer transfers to bigger and better-paying clubs than they now play for.

Here we pick our ‘Magnificent Seven’ of the goalkeepers at this World Cup.

Tim Howard

Photo Credit: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Mancheser United (2003-07): 77 apps

Everton (2006-): 347 apps

United States (2002-): 103 caps

After four years at Old Trafford, the American keeper left when they signed Edwin van der Sar, thus pushing the stopper out of the starting XI. In the hopes of more playing time, the American moved to Everton, where he set the club record for most clean sheets in a season in 2008-09. Howard is now making headlines for his heroic display at the 2014 World Cup—making his mark with an 82.4 percent save rate, according to FIFA’s stats.

Guillermo Ochoa

Club América (2004-11): 211 apps

Ajaccio (2011-): 112 apps

Mexico (2005-): 63 caps

After a misinterpreted doping suspension prevented ‘Memo’ from signing for Paris Saint-Germain, the Mexican keeper signed with a different French club, Ajaccio, in the hope of playing in Europe. In his second season for the club, he single-handedly save the French side from relegation in Ligue 1 and continues to be a huge asset for the team. After his 2014 World Cup performance, with a 76.9 percent save rate, the now out-of-contract keeper has his pick of clubs to sign for.

Thibaut Courtois

Chelsea (2011-): 0 apps

Atletico Madrid (2011-14) [loan from Chelsea]: 111 apps

Belgium (2011-): 21 caps

Having signed for Chelsea in 2011, the Belgian No. 1 went directly on loan to Atletico Madrid only weeks after joining the London club. However, after winning the Ricardo Zamora Trophy—with the lowest goals-to-games ratio in the league—in back-to-back-seasons, and a La Liga medal this season, Chelsea have sense and Courtois is on his way back to Stamford Bridge this season.

Julio Cesar

Photo Credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images South America

QPR (2012-): 24 apps

Toronto FC (2014-) [loan]: 7 apps

Brazil (2004-): 85 caps

Stealing the plaudits after his display in Brazil’s penalty shootout win over Chile, Cesar is currently on-loan at Toronto FC of the MLS. After signing for QPR in the Premier League, Cesar could not halt their dismal slide towards the Championship. His move to Toronto was designed to keep him in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil plans. It worked.

Sergio Romero

AZ Alkmaar (2007-11): 90 apps

Sampdoria (2011-): 61 apps

Argentina (2009-): 51 caps

An unlikely hero of Argentina’s World Cup journey, Romero has prospered at this tournament in spite of playing just three times for Monaco last season while there on loan. Glories in the nickname of ‘Tiny’ even though he is 6’ 4”. Apparently his basketball-playing older brothers were taller than him as kids, hence the moniker.

Hugo Lloris

Nice (2005-08): 72 apps

Lyon (2008-12): 146 apps

Spurs (2012-): 64 apps

France (2008-): 62 caps

Lloris was a fine goalkeeper for the excellent Lyon team that had a few good runs in the Champions League during his time there. His move to North London didn’t work out initially, with Brad Friedel often chosen ahead of him. But now Lloris is established as the Spurs No. 1 and many consider the Frenchman to be the best keeper in the Premier League.

Manuel Neuer

FC Schalke (2006-11): 156 apps

Bayern Munich (2011-): 95 apps

Germany (2009-): 50 caps

Manchester United tried very hard to get Neuer to move to England when left Schalke in 2011, but they couldn’t persuade him to join them instead of Bayern—the Red Devils instead purchasing Spain’s David de Gea. For a long touted as the best young goalkeeping in the world, the giant German is now moving to the stage where the word ‘young’ can be dropped.

Stopper Who Saved Their Careers . . .

Several goalkeepers have had their hearts broken when they were let go by their sides—only to go on and excel at other clubs. Here are three recent ‘back-from-the-brink’ No. 1s:

Shay Given

Celtic (1991-94): Youth Career

Newcastle United (1997-2009): 354 apps

Ireland (1996-): 125 caps

The Irish keeper played for the Celtic Boys Club, never reaching it to the Scottish Premiership. He joined Blackburn Rovers at the age of 18. Three years later, he flourished under the management of Newcastle United, being named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2002. He is best known for his time on the Irish National Team with 55 clean sheets.

Ben Foster

Manchester United (2005-2010): 12 apps

West Bromwich Albion (2011-): 91 apps

England (2007-): 8 caps

After Alex Fergerson’s proclamation that Foster would be “England’s goalkeeper for the next 10 years,” the keeper left the club after failing to win the No. 1 sport from the illustrious Edwin van der Sar. He went on to play for West Bromwich Alboin, maintain 10 clean sheets in the 2011-2012 season. He played for England in the World Cup against Costa Rica.

Chris Kirkland

Liverpool (2001-2006): 25 apps

Wigan Athletic (2006-2012): 131 apps

England (2006): 1 cap

During his time at Liverpool, he served as an understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, however his time at the club was limited after sustaining multiple injuries that benched him for most seasons. He received a spell of luck when he was loaned to Wigan, and remained a permanent fixture, winning club's Player's Player of the Year award in 2008.