Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been labelled the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
That’s the verdict of former Nottingham Forest and Wales shot-stopper Mark Crossley, who played more than 500 career games.
Italy and Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma3
Donnarumma has also played 87 times for Italy
The Man City man is the reigning holder of the Yashin Trophy and the Best FIFA Goalkeeper award.
The 27-year-old will not retain the Yashin in 2026, however, as he was not nominated for the award this time around.
Arsenal’s David Raya and Chelsea’s Emi Martinez are both on the shortlist for the prize.
Raya will be among the favourites, having played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s Premier League triumph.
He also won his third Premier League Golden Glove in the 2025/26 season.
The Arsenal man also won the World Cup in the summer, but played zero minutes with Unai Simon preferred as the No.1.
Crossley believes Donnarumma is the best in the Premier League at keeping the ball out of the goal.
He told talkSPORT: “Donnarumma. Simple reason because I always got told, ‘What's your job as a goalkeeper?’ And ultimately your job as a goalkeeper is to stop the ball from going in the goal.
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“I think about 75 per cent of goalkeepers now use their feet and 25 per cent use their hands.
“Back in the day, it was probably the opposite. 75 per cent with your hands and 25 per cent with your feet. That's the way I look at it.
Mark Crossley3
Crossley made more than 500 appearances in his career
“I think ultimately your job is to stop the ball from going in the goal. Whether that's old-fashioned or not, but that is your job. And I think he's the best at doing that job.”
Donnarumma at Man City
Italy international Donnarumma is already approaching 500 club games, having made his debut aged 16 for AC Milan.
After 251 appearances for the club, he left to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in 2021.
He went on to win four league titles in France and the much-coveted Champions League, the first in PSG’s history.
Donnarumma was subsequently sold to Man City for just £26m on deadline day in the summer of 2025.
He immediately displaced James Trafford as the City No.1, just weeks after he returned to the Etihad from Burnley for £31m.
Gianluigi Donnarumma3
Donnarumma has made 50 appearances for Man City since joining from PSG
The 27-year-old has kept two clean sheets at the start of the 2026/27 campaign as City top the Premier League with a 100 per cent record.
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Catch Mark Crossley alongside Duncan Ferguson every Thursday with episodes available on YouTube, Global Player and wherever you get your podcasts.
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