Firstain

This is part one of the series titled 'Top 10 of everything in football'. The next part, featuring the top 10 defenders, will be published tomorrow. To make sure you don't miss out, it'd would be smart to subscribe to our RSS Feed and Email Newsletter. You can also Follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook.

While players further up the field may grab more of the headlines, it is impossible to overstate the importance of a reliable goalkeeper.

Interestingly a number of world class keepers such as Shay Given, Petr Cech and Edwin Van Der Saar were notably absent from last year's World Cup. Others, like Jose Reina and Victor Valdes, remained on the sidelines.

For me there is very little to choose between the top three goalkeepers on the list, and I also struggled to separate the keepers in the bottom half of the list. Take a look.

Casillas in WC Finals

10. Julio Cesar

Along with fellow Brazilians Maicon and Lucio, Julio Cesar is a part of an Inter Milan defense which has established itself as the best in club football.

He may not be the busiest keeper in the world but on the rare occasions when he is called into action he generally excels.

Brazil have always been gifted with talented attackers, but this outstanding shot stopper could be just as important if they are to make a mark in world football.

9. Samir Handanovic

The 6ft 5in stopper is under contract with Udinese until 2012 but do not be surprised if he joins a bigger club soon. Conceding just four goals in ten 2010 World Cup qualifying matches, Handanovic helps form the spine of the Slovenia team, with his agility and penalty-saving prowess both valuable assets.

8. Hugo Lloris

Number one for French giants Lyon, Lloris looks to have a promising career ahead of him for club and country. Boasting a long reach and superb reflexes, Lloris is capable of keeping strikers at bay when his team are firmly under the cosh. Previously at Nice, he was signed by Lyon to replace former France international Gregory Coupet. Must improve his decision making.

7. Manuel Neuer

An excellent 2010/11 season for Schalke prompted Bayern Munich to splurge a reported US$26 million on the player, with another $10 million dependant on performances. Many Bayern supporters felt that the club had overspent on a player whose contract was due to expire in 2012, when he would have been available for free. Neuer, though, is Germany’s number one and a dominant presence between the posts.

6. Pepe Reina

Like Valdes, Reina has been a victim of Casillas’ phenomenal performances at international level. But Liverpool know his worth and persuaded the Spaniard to sign a new contract with the club in 2010. Reina has hinted at his frustrations about a lack of silverware in recent seasons and the Reds may have to break the winless cycle if they are to keep the Barcelona youth product. Prone to the odd clanger like most goalkeepers, but still one of the most consistent in the premier League.

5. Joe Hart

The least experienced goalkeeper on the list, Hart has made very few mistakes in his time at Birmingham City and Manchester City. His excellent form on loan at St Andrews in the 2009-10 season led to Shay Given losing his place in the Man City side, and Hart is now England's number one goalkeeper. A superb shot-stopper possessed with calmness and authority.

4. Victor Valdes

There is a case for arguing that if the Barcelona custodian was any other nationality, he would be his country’s number one. But Valdes has had the misfortune of being in his prime at the same time as Iker Casillas, who has held the Spain jersey for over a decade. Valdes is Barca’s most successful goalkeeper, having won five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues with the club. The former Tenerife youth player is terrific in one-on-one situations. He only earned his first cap for the national team in 2010.

3. Peter Cech

Since arriving at Chelsea from Rennes in 2004, Cech has been a model of consistency, rarely making errors and helping the club to three Premier League titles. He recovered from a fractured skull sustained in a controversial challenge by Reading’s Stephen Hunt in 2006. Cech instils confidence in what is a solid Chelsea defense, and although he may have fewer saves to make than many goalkeepers, it is a sign of his class and extreme concentration that he is rarely found wanting when called upon. A busier figure on the international stage.

2. Gianluigi Buffon

A World Cup winner in 2006, Buffon is considered by many observers as the best goalkeeper of the last decade alongside Iker Casillas. The Juventus custodian has few weaknesses and remains the most expensive goalkeeper in the world following his 2001 move from Parma to Juventus. Now well into his 30s, injuries may be taking their toll on Buffon, but he remains an important presence for club and country.

1. Iker Casillas

'Saint Iker,' as he is known at Real Madrid, has been his club's first-choice goalkeeper since he was a teenager, having come through the youth set-up. Casillas has often had the misfortune of having an inadequate defense in front of him as Real have focused on assembling a fearsome attack, only to neglect the backline. But this simply meant he was able to showcase his skills to an even greater extent, bailing out his defense time and time again, putting his body on the line and making spectacular saves when the opposition looked odds-on to score. One of a kind.

Agree with my top 10? Disagree? Would you like to replace someone in my list with another player? Drop in a comment to share your views. I'll be glad to hear

P.S This is part one of the series titled 'Top 10 of everything in football'. The next part, featuring the top 10 defenders, will be published tomorrow. To make sure you don't miss out, it'd would be smart to subscribe to our RSS Feed and Email Newsletter. You can also Follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook.

Like this post? Share it with your friends!