Football, known as soccer in America, is the most popular sport worldwide. It is played and celebrated across continents, from South America to the Middle East. While the sport originated in England, its universal appeal comes from the teamwork, skill, and excitement of scoring goals. Goalkeepers play a crucial role as the last line of defense, responsible for preventing the opponent’s ball from crossing the goal line.
Over the years, legendary goalkeepers such as Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas, and José Luis Chilavert have set high standards. However, the position also has a darker side—goalkeepers who are infamous for their mistakes. While some had moments of brilliance, others became well-known for their errors rather than their heroics.
The following list highlights ten goalkeepers who, despite their popularity, gained reputations for being unreliable between the posts.
10. Peter Enckelman
Infamous for: Own goal in a local derby
Peter Enckelman, a Finnish goalkeeper, began his career at TPS Turku before moving to England to play for Aston Villa in 1999. While he showed potential, his career took a drastic turn after a disastrous mistake in a local derby against Birmingham City.
During the match, a seemingly harmless throw-in from a teammate rolled toward Enckelman. Instead of controlling the ball, he misjudged it, allowing it to roll into his own net. This embarrassing blunder not only humiliated Aston Villa but also became one of the most unforgettable own goals in Premier League history.
The mistake shattered his confidence, limiting his opportunities at Aston Villa. A transfer to Blackburn Rovers offered a fresh start, but he never secured a permanent first-team spot. Enckelman spent the latter part of his career moving between lower-league clubs before retiring. His story serves as a reminder that one moment of misjudgment can overshadow years of hard work.
9. Stuart Taylor
Infamous for: Spending most of his career as a backup
Stuart Taylor’s career is one of the strangest in football history. Despite being part of multiple trophy-winning squads, his actual contributions on the pitch were minimal. A product of Arsenal’s youth system, he won Premier League and FA Cup medals without playing many games.
When Arsenal’s legendary goalkeeper David Seaman left, Taylor had an opportunity to prove himself. However, the club preferred other goalkeepers, and Taylor was quickly relegated to a backup role. He then moved between clubs, including Aston Villa and Cardiff City, but never became a first-choice keeper.
At Cardiff, he earned a starting spot but suffered a 6-0 defeat against Preston, which effectively ended his run. Over time, Taylor became known as a career backup, earning wages without making significant contributions on the field. Some saw him as fortunate, while others believed he wasted opportunities to make an impact.
8. Kepa Arrizabalaga
Infamous for: Being the most expensive goalkeeper but failing to live up to expectations
In 2018, Chelsea spent £71 million to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in history. Expectations were high, but his tenure at Stamford Bridge has been defined by inconsistency and controversy.
One of the most notorious incidents occurred during the 2019 EFL Cup Final when Kepa refused to be substituted, openly defying coach Maurizio Sarri. His decision backfired as Chelsea lost the penalty shootout, damaging his reputation.
His struggles continued, especially during the 2019–2020 season, when a series of mistakes led to goals. By January 2020, Chelsea benched him in favor of veteran Willy Caballero. Despite occasional improvements, he was eventually loaned to Real Madrid and then AFC Bournemouth. His career highlights the fact that talent alone does not justify a massive price tag—mental strength and consistency are just as important.
7. Tony Warner
Infamous for: High-profile mistakes at Fulham
Tony Warner’s career was filled with unfulfilled potential. Starting at Liverpool, he spent years as a backup without making a first-team appearance. When given opportunities, he failed to impress.
His worst moments came at Fulham, where he allowed crucial goals due to poor handling. These mistakes cost his team valuable points and severely affected his confidence. Even after moving to Hull City and Leicester, he remained an inconsistent performer.
Despite occasional strong performances, Warner never became a dependable first-choice goalkeeper. His career serves as an example of how mental resilience is crucial in football, especially for goalkeepers under immense pressure.
6. Brad Guzan
Infamous for: Inconsistency and never securing a first-choice spot
Brad Guzan showed promise in Major League Soccer before joining Aston Villa in 2008. Initially regarded as a rising star, he struggled to establish himself in England.
Despite getting opportunities, Guzan’s performances were inconsistent. Loan spells at Hull City and poor performances at Middlesbrough damaged his reputation further. Even after returning to MLS, he failed to regain his best form.
While he had moments of brilliance, his career was largely defined by unfulfilled potential. Guzan’s story highlights how difficult it is to maintain high standards in professional football.
5. Victor Valdés
Infamous for: Being successful at Barcelona despite questionable goalkeeping ability
Victor Valdés won multiple La Liga titles and Champions League trophies with Barcelona, but his goalkeeping abilities were often questioned. He thrived in Barcelona’s system due to his exceptional footwork, but his shot-stopping skills were inconsistent.
Despite his success, he was never Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper, always overshadowed by Iker Casillas. His brief stints outside Barcelona, particularly at Manchester United, failed to change public perception.
Valdés’ story shows how a great team can sometimes mask individual weaknesses, leaving questions about his true abilities as a goalkeeper.
4. Gunnar Nielsen
Infamous for: Forgettable career despite making Premier League history
Gunnar Nielsen became the first Faroese player to appear in the Premier League but struggled to make an impact. Signed by Manchester City in 2009, he was loaned to several lower-league clubs, where he failed to impress.
His international performances were also underwhelming. While he occasionally showed competence, his lack of consistency ensured he never reached his full potential. His career is a reminder of how difficult it is to transition from potential to success.
3. Massimo Taibi
Infamous for: A disastrous spell at Manchester United
Signed as Peter Schmeichel’s replacement, Massimo Taibi’s time at Manchester United was a disaster. He allowed a soft goal against Southampton, earning the nickname “The Blind Venetian.”
His struggles continued when he conceded five goals against Chelsea in a single match. Afterjust four games, he was sold, and his name became synonymous with goalkeeping failures.
2. Stephen Bywater
Infamous for: Never fulfilling his early promise
Signed by West Ham as a teenager, Stephen Bywater was expected to be England’s next great goalkeeper. However, his frequent loan spells and poor performances painted a different picture.
His time at Derby County was particularly bad. Despite helping them gain promotion, he could not prevent their relegation, conceding a record number of goals. His career serves as a lesson in wasted potential.
1. André Onana
Infamous for: High-profile errors despite technical skills
André Onana’s career has been full of ups and downs. Though talented, his high-profile errors at Manchester United have made him a controversial figure.
While his distribution skills are world-class, his poor handling has cost Manchester United in crucial matches. His career is a reminder that technical skills alone are not enough to succeed at the highest level.
