Crossley Snubs Golden Glove King Raya: His Bold Top 3 Premier League Keepers for 2025-26

Picture this: you're at the bar, pint in hand, debating who's the best keeper in the Premier League right now. Enter Mark Crossley, the ex-Nottingham Forest legend who's just dropped a right curveball. While David Raya leads the Golden Glove race with 15 clean sheets, and Emi Martinez – World Cup hero – lurks nearby, Crossley reckons they've been outshone by a trio straight out of a shot-stopper's dream.

Crossley, chatting exclusively to GOAL while building a cracking Bally Bet All-Stars vets squad, laid out his vision of the ideal No.1. We're talking old-school beasts who fill the frame, stay ice-cool under pressure, and ping passes like a midfielder. No panic merchants need apply.

The Top Three: Donnarumma Leads the Charge

Kicking off at number one is Gianluigi Donnarumma. Yeah, the PSG giant who's been turning heads in the Champions League and apparently eyeing a Premier League move. Crossley can't get enough: "He's Schmeichel-esque, proper old-school. I couldn't believe he's only 26 – looks like he's been around forever!"

The Italian's command of the box and heroic exploits have Crossley hooked. Imagine that frame between the sticks for a title-chasing side – pure box office.

Slotting in at two is Alisson Becker of Liverpool. "Fills the goal, big lad, unflappable," raves Crossley. Even if he slips up, the Brazilian dusts himself off without a flap. That's the mentality that wins leagues, innit?

Rounding out the podium is England's own Jordan Pickford at Everton. Crossley loves the left-footed distribution – fellow southpaw himself – and Pickford's rock-solid consistency for the Three Lions. "Never seen him have a bad game for England. Proper consistent, that lad."

Put 'em together, says Crossley, and you've brewed the perfect keeper potion: size, calm, and killer passing.

Raya and Martinez Left in the Cold – But Why?

Now, the real eyebrow-raiser: Raya, Arsenal's Spanish sensation, who's nabbed back-to-back Golden Gloves but zero silverware to match. He's topping the 2025-26 charts, with Donnarumma and Pickford both on 11 shutouts. Yet Crossley overlooks him, along with Villa's Martinez, who's still got that international pedigree.

It's a deep pool this season, mind. The Premier League boasts World Cup contenders galore – Raya for Spain, Pickford England's mainstay, Alisson Brazil's pick, and Donnarumma dragging Italy towards qualification via playoffs against Bosnia.

Crossley's criteria? It's not just clean sheets; it's the full package. Icons like Peter Schmeichel, David Seaman, Petr Cech, and Edwin van der Sar set the bar, and he's hunting that aura in today's lot.

Bally Bet's Grassroots Glory and a City Ground Showdown

This hot take comes amid Crossley's gig assembling the first Bally Bet All-Stars Vets squad – a nod to unsung grassroots heroes. Teaming up with Forest legends, he'll kit them out for a proper Premier League bash at the City Ground against hand-picked Reds icons come late May.

It's a feelgood mission: swapping muddy rec grounds for floodlit fame. Crossley's eye for talent, honed from dragging Forest to third and Europe back in the day, makes him perfect for the job.

So, overruled on Raya? Maybe. But Crossley's list sparks the debate we love. Who's your top keeper? Fancy Donnarumma bossing the Prem? Or sticking with the clean-sheet machine? Grab your mates, settle in – football's arguments are half the fun.