Premier League 2016-17 awards: 5 best goalkeepers

4. Tom Heaton, Burnley

In his second season in England’s top flight, Heaton has flourished.

After spending much of his career so far in the Championship, Heaton looks to have settled in nicely as Burnley’s first choice keeper. The Englishman has played a vital role in the Clarets’ attempted campaign to live to see another season in the Premier League.

A few of Heaton’s stat lines may not exactly jump off the page, but are impressive nonetheless. Heaton (in 30 appearances) has nine clean sheets in all. Although not as impressive as the other keeper’s on this list, nine clean sheets lands Heaton fifth among all goalies. However, lacking double-digit clean sheets can be attributed to the mediocre and inconsistent away defense from the men in front of Heaton.

By and large, Heaton has been one of the Premier League’s most proficient keepers throughout the entirety of this season. In total, Heaton has made an incredible127 total saves. The current Premier League save leader has saved 127 of the 165 shots  (77 percent) on target fired his way.

Do not let the fact Heaton has conceded 40 goals sway your opinion; when you have 546 shots come your way, you’re bound to let in a few. Heaton’s 40 conceded goals ranks 33rd among Premier League keepers, tying him with Ben Forster. With Heaton, the conceded goal total, like the clean sheets, is partly the fault of the defense in front of him.

One has to wonder where Burnley would be without Heaton. Certainly closer to the drop zone than they are now.