Champions League Fantasy: Goalkeepers for every budget

UEFA.com singles out some goalkeeping assets for those #UCLfantasy managers prepared to pay a premium price, as well as those looking to find a cheaper option between the sticks.

PREMIUM OPTIONS

If you are willing to spend big money on your goalkeepers, there are two shot-stoppers both plying their trades at English clubs that should be seriously considered. Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy (€6.0m) recorded the highest number of clean sheets in last season's UEFA Champions League, securing nine as the Blues became champions of Europe for a second time. One of those came in the final itself as Mendy triumphed over Manchester City opposite number Ederson (€6.0m), who himself racked up seven clean sheets across the competition. Both goalkeepers have begun the domestic season well, each keeping two clean sheets in their opening three Premier League games with just a single goal conceded.

Another top-end keeper who has two Premier League clean sheets and just one goal conceded so far is Liverpool's Alisson Becker (€6.0m). With star defender Virgil van Dijk back following a long-term injury, the Brazilian could well improve on the five clean sheets he recorded in last season's UEFA Champions League campaign. It would also be remiss not to mention the UEFA EURO 2020 Player of the Tournament Gianluigi Donnarumma (€6.0m), who after shining for European champions Italy, will be looking to do the same in the UEFA Champions League for new club Paris Saint-Germain.

MID-PRICED OPTIONS

After a fantastic 2020/21 season at Wolfsburg, who conceded just 37 goals in 34 fixtures in the German Bundesliga, Koeen Casteels (€5.0m) could well turn out to be a #UCLfantasy bargain. The 29-year-old captains Die Wölfe, who have begun this campaign with two clean sheets from three Bundesliga matches and will likely prioritise defensive stability to give themselves the best chance of advancing through the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Priced slightly higher than Casteels, Samir Handanović (€5.5m) could prove a worthwhile investment when taking into account Inter's defensive credentials. Just 35 goals conceded in 38 league games represented the best record of any Serie A side last season, helping the Nerazzurri lift the league title. With such a strong defence in front of him, Handanović looks set to improve on the two clean sheets he managed in Europe last season.

Also recording two clean sheets in the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League was Sevilla's Yassine Bounou (€5.0m). However, the Moroccan started in just five European games for the Spaniards last season and his numbers are likely to improve significantly in this year's competition providing he features in all of Sevilla's group games. Bounou appears to have established himself as Julen Lopetegui's first-choice goalkeeper and could provide great value for #UCLfantasy managers.

BUDGET OPTIONS

Under head coach Erik ten Hag, Dutch champions Ajax conceded just 23 Eredivisie goals in their 2020/21 title-winning campaign. They'll be looking to transfer that defensive steel onto the European stage, which makes owning Ajax's first-choice goalkeeper a shrewd play. The experienced Maarten Stekelenburg (€4.5m) has held the post since the start of the new season and has impressed with two shut-outs in three league games. The 38-year-old looks an ideal option for those #UCLfantasy managers looking for a bargain.

Another goalkeeper who could prove excellent value for money is Atalanta's Juan Musso (€4.5m). Gian Piero Gasperini's side have largely stood out from an attacking perspective in the UEFA Champions League, but their defensive credentials shouldn't be underestimated. Three clean sheets in six group stage fixtures in 2020/21 represented a respectable return and they have begun the 2021/22 campaign in strong form at the back, conceding one goal in their opening two Serie A fixtures with Musso now installed between the sticks after signing from Udinese in the summer.

As largely an offensive-minded team, Salzburg's Philipp Köhn (€4.5m) could be busier than most keepers in this season's UEFA Champions League. From a #UCLfantasy perspective however, this isn't necessarily a bad thing as the more saves a goalkeeper makes, the more Fantasy points they are likely to accrue. With that in mind, Köln could emerge as a shrewd pick, particularly as your second-choice goalkeeper.