Best goalkeepers for UCL Fantasy

The Champions league is back for another season which means the fantasy game is too. With that in mind we take a look at the best goalkeepers in UCL Fantasy using previous, current and team form with the help of underlying stats.

Focusing on the best goalkeepers for UCL Fantasy could be absolutely crucial. When it comes to building our squads many within the community will be hoping to find reliable goalkeepers that they can rotate during any given Matchday.

Samuel Soares

Benfica have a very interesting group as they take on the side that knocked them out of the latter stages of the competition last time, Inter. The Portuguese side also face both Salzburg and Real Sociedad in the first stage of the competition.

After suffering several key losses with the likes of striker Goncalo Ramos and full-back Alejandro Grimaldo departing during the summer Benfica will be hoping to thrive without them. The most important and relevant loss though is the loss of primary goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. Stepping into his shoes is budget busting Samuel Soares who comes in at a jaw-dropping €4m.

Benfica have started the new campaign with some defensive solidarity – in the first five matches they have played in all competitions they bagged three clean sheets. With a great group ahead and at one of the cheapest playing price-tags in the game it could be very difficult to ignore Soares.

Yann Sommer

Inter have started the season in better form than most of the other top clubs in Europe. In fact, they have played three matches so far and collected a clean sheet in every one of them. Last season was proof that Inter were one of the best sides in the competition defensively – making it all of the way to the final and keeping eight clean sheets in total.

In the same group as Benfica, Inter also face Salzburg and Real Sociedad which gives them massive potential for clean sheets. The departure of Andre Onana to Manchester United means new signing Yann Sommer steps in for the number one role and he comes in at just £4.5m. With great fixtures and a great price-tag Sommer is a very strong option for the campaign ahead.

Sven Ulreich

Bayern come into this as one of the favourites to win the entire competition but that isn’t a surprise. The German side have been a constant threat in Europe over the years so backing their assets can be hugely benficial.

So far this season Bayern have played four matches in all competitions – in those matches they secured three wins and lost their opening game (cup) – they also managed to keep just one clean sheet. The German side have sometimes been suspect defensively but last season in the Champions League they managed an impressive five clean sheets in six matches during the group stages.

Bayern showed huge defensive strength in Europe last season and play Manchester United, Copenhagen and Galatasaray in their group. Long-term goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is currently injured and so budget friendly Sven Ulreich (£4.5m) takes the reigns between the sticks. At his price and with Bayern’ likelihood of easing through the group stage makes Ulreich a solid option.

Alex Meret

Current Serie A Champions Napoli have huge motivation to progress even further this time after a forced exit by domestic rivals AC Milan last season. The Italian side were relentless in their 22/23 domestic campaign and their form translated into the Champions League.

Napoli have had an interesting to their new season – they have played three won two and lost one whilst also registering one clean sheet. There were parts of last season where the Serie champions were keeping eight clean sheets in a 10-match period which highlights the potential their defensive assets have.

Napoli face Braga, Real Madrid and Union Berlin in the group stages and although Real Madrid are their toughest opponents Napoli have proven they can hold their own with the big boys. With all of this it could be beneficial to back goalkeeper Alex Meret (€5m) – the Italian racked up a massive 16 clean sheets domestically last season.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Real Madrid will always go into any Champions League tournament as one of the favourites. The Spanish side have a knack for edging results when all hope seems lost and this is something that makes them hugely investable as a fantasy manager.

Leading the way in La Liga Real Madrid sit at the top of the league after winning all four of their first league matches. In the same period they also kept two clean sheets which makes their defensive players even more appealing.

With games against Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin ahead new loanee signing Kepa Arrizabalaga (€5m) could have bags of potential for clean sheets. Taking into account his price and the side he plays for Kepa could be one of the best goalkeeper options in the entire game.