The presence of a top-class goalkeeper between the sticks can prove vital come the business end of a season for the world's top clubs.

A priceless clean-sheet or an outstanding late save from a shot-stopper has been the difference between triumph and despair for numerous sides over the years.

Their outfield colleagues know it too. For example, Liverpool's Sadio Mane recently blasted the absence of his Senegal teammate Edouard Mendy from the 30-man list of nominees for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award, calling the snub "unacceptable".

In total, only two goalkeepers made it on to the shortlist for the award, which will be formally presented next month in Paris.

Unsurprisingly, both those individuals are highly ranked by FourFourTwo in their breakdown of the top 10 goalkeepers on the planet right now.

Chelsea keeper Mendy, who helped the Blues to Champions League success last season, is among six representatives from Premier League clubs included in the countdown.

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ENTER GIVEAWAY

Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford begins the top 10, alongside Manchester United's David de Gea, Tottenham's Hugo Lloris, Liverpool's Alisson and Ederson of Manchester City.

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However, none of those mentioned manage to crack the top three. Those spots are reserved for legendary Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer (who ranks third), giant Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak (second) and Paris Saint-Germain star Gianluigi Donnarumma, who claims the leading berth. You can check out the countdown in full below. 

The top 10 goalkeepers in the world right now - per FourFourTwo

10. Jordan Pickford (Everton)

9. David De Gea (Manchester United)

8. Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan)

7. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur)

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6. Alisson (Liverpool)

5. Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)

4. Ederson (Manchester City)

3. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

2. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

1. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)

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Named Player of the Tournament following Italy's success at Euro 2020, 22-year-old Donnarumma capped off a busy summer when he traded AC Milan to join the star-studded squad at PSG. Numerous further honours look a certainty for the talented youngster in the French capital.

In addition, his fine run of form has been recognised with a Ballon d'Or nomination. 

Second-placed Oblak may not have had the same success at international level as Donnarumma, but the Slovenian played a key role for his club side Atletico Madrid as they claimed the La Liga title last term.

The other man in this countdown to find himself on the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or this year, veteran German goalkeeper Neuer has helped Bayern claim a massive nine Bundesliga titles in a row - and is now keenly chasing a tenth.

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As hotly debated as these sorts of lists always are, the achievements of the leading trio here speak for themselves. At least according to these rankings, the goalkeepers of the English top-flight have some ground to make up.

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