Clean sheets are a goalkeeper’s badge of honor. At DeutKick, we love diving into the numbers that define legends — and today we unpack the story behind the most clean sheets in EPL history. Who holds the all-time record? How close have others come? And might that mark ever be broken?
Clean Sheet Basics: What Counts & Why It Matters
Before we dig into the leaderboard, a few quick notes:
- A clean sheet means a goalkeeper (and the team defense) keep the opposition from scoring any goal across the full 90 minutes (plus stoppage).
- In the Premier League era (since 1992–93), those clean sheets are formally tracked across official matches in the top flight.
- Clean sheets are a mix of individual brilliance and team defensive strength. Even the greatest kee, let’s dive into the all-time rankings.
Who Has The Most Clean Sheets In EPL History?
Top Career Clean Sheets Leaders
As of the latest data, here’s how the top Premier League goalkeepers stack up:
|
Rank |
Goalkeeper |
Clean Sheets |
Appearances |
Approx % Clean Sheets |
|
1 |
Petr Čech |
202 |
443 |
≈ 45.6 % |
|
2 |
David James |
169 |
572 |
≈ 29.5 % |
|
3 |
Mark Schwarzer |
152 |
514 |
≈ 29.6 % |
|
4 |
David de Gea |
147 |
415 |
≈ 35.4 % |
|
5 |
David Seaman |
141 |
344 |
≈ 40.9 % |
|
6 |
Nigel Martyn |
137 |
372 |
≈ 36.8 % |
|
7 |
Pepe Reina |
136 |
297 |
≈ 45.8 % |
|
8 |
Edwin van der Sar |
132 |
313 |
≈ 42.2 % |
|
9 |
Tim Howard |
132 |
399 |
≈ 33.1 % |
|
10 |
Brad Friedel |
132 |
450 |
≈ 29.3 % |
The standout here is Petr Čech, who sits at the summit with an all-time record of 202 clean sheets in Premier League competition.
Why Čech’s Record Is Remarkable
- He reached 202 clean sheets in only 443 appearances, giving him the highest clean sheet percentage among keepers with such volume (≈ 45.6 %).
- He also holds the record for most clean sheets at a single club: 162 of his 202 came with Chelsea.
- For a single season, he set an apex: 24 clean sheets in 2004–05 – a mark yet to be surpassed.
- He was the fastest goalkeeper in Premier League history to hit 100 clean sheets (in 180 games).
Close Chasers and Notable Performers
The road behind Čech is populated with names whose longevity and consistency earned them legendary status.
David James – The Marathon Man
With 572 Premier League appearances, James accumulated 169 clean sheets. His sheer durability across multiple clubs underpins his second-place rank.
Mark Schwarzer – Quiet Consistency
An ever-present figure across Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea, and Leicester, Schwarzer amassed 152 clean sheets in 514 matches.
David de Gea – Modern Era Titan
De Gea racked up 147 clean sheets in 415 Premier League games, all for Manchester United. His entry cements the transition into the 21st century’s goalkeeping elite.
Other legends like David Seaman, Nigel Martyn, Pepe Reina, Edwin van der Sar, Tim Howard, and Brad Friedel each had their niche—be it peak performance, longevity, or clean-sheet rate.
Other Clean Sheet Records Worth Knowing
Most Clean Sheets in One Season
No goalkeeper has beaten Čech’s 24 clean sheets in a single Premier League season (2004–05).
Longest Run Without Conceding
Edwin van der Sar holds that crown: 14 consecutive matches without conceding in 2008–09 for Manchester United (1,311 minutes).
Most Golden Glove Awards
The Golden Glove goes to the kee. Čech and Joe Hart share the record, winning it four times each.
Čech is also unique for having won the award at two different clubs.
Can Anyone Break Čech’s Record?
It’s a steep hill to climb. To surpass 202 clean sheets, a keeper would need:
- Longevity — playing at top level for 10+ seasons
- High Clean Sheet Ratio — ideally 40 %+
- Great Defenses — no kee, the record for most clean sheets in EPL history stands firmly in Petr Čech’s hands.
Conclusion
The most clean sheets in EPL history belongs to Petr Čech, with a monumental 202 shutouts over 443 matches — a landmark few believe will be easily surpassed. He set multiple sub-records along the way: fastest to 100 clean sheets, most at one club, and the single-season high water mark of 24.
At DeutKick, we dive deep into stats like this because they tell the stories of greatness: resilience, peak form, and unyielding consistency. Want to explore more records — like most clean sheets in La Liga, Serie A, or World Cup tournaments? Let us guide you.
