Young goalkeepers to watch in the 2025/26 season

Football often highlights strikers and midfielders — the ones scoring goals and creating magic. But the truth is: a strong goalkeeper can make or break a team’s season. In 2025/26, a few young keepers are rising fast. If you follow football closely, it’s worth keeping an eye on these rising stars.

Why these young goalkeepers matter now

The modern game is changing. It doesn’t matter only how many saves a goalkeeper makes. Now, goalkeepers should be comfortable with the ball at their feet, good at starting plays from the back, confident under pressure, and quick with reflexes. Clubs now like to build for the future: recruit young goalkeepers, give them time, let them grow — so when a big moment arrives, they’re ready.

In this new football era, a young, talented goalkeeper with the right mix of skills can become extremely valuable.

Who to watch: Top young goalkeepers in the 2025/26 season

Bart Verbruggen — A Dutch keeper who stands out because he is very good with ball distribution, fast reflexes, and modern goalkeeping style. He doesn’t just save shots — he helps build play from the back. Many consider him a future star.

Giorgi Mamardashvili — This Georgian keeper has attracted attention after his recent performances and is regarded as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe. He could get big chances soon, and fans are eager to see how he develops.

Maarten Vandevoordt — A young Belgian goalkeeper moving to a major club in 2025. He is fast, calm under pressure, and comfortable playing from the back — qualities very valued in modern football.

Lucas Chevalier — A French goalkeeper emerging as a strong talent. He has shown good consistency, positioning, and maturity beyond his age. As senior keepers in France retire, he is seen as a likely future number-one.

Guillaume Restes — Quite young, but already considered one of the top “young keepers to watch”. Many experts believe he has the potential to become one of the best goalkeepers in the coming years.

What to expect from them in 2025/26

If these goalkeepers get regular playing time, stay fit, and handle pressure well, we could see clean sheets and match-winning saves that give their teams stability in defense. They may influence how their teams build from the back because many of them can pass well and start plays intelligently. Some of these goalkeepers may turn into top-class stars, replacing veteran keepers or becoming national-team regulars. Rising performance can also increase their value in transfers and contracts, especially if they perform consistently in big matches.

Challenges they might face

Being young at goalkeeper isn’t always easy. Mistakes get noticed more, and pressure in big matches can be heavy. Sometimes their club may not give them enough games, or the defense in front of them may be weak — which can affect their stats unfairly. Younger players may also struggle with consistency. Talent alone isn’t enough; they need support, training, and patience.

The 2025/26 season is shaping up to be an exciting time for goalkeepers. Players like Bart Verbruggen, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Maarten Vandevoordt, Lucas Chevalier, and Guillaume Restes deserve attention. They might well become the goalkeepers of the future, and keeping an eye on their progress now will be rewarding for fans and football followers.

Cover Credits - BBC