Statistical Comparison: World Cup Selection Dilemma - Alisson vs Ederson

While Gareth Southgate still has a decision to make with regards to his first choice goalkeeper for the World Cup, with the uncapped Nick Pope the in-form candidate, one of the pre-tournament favourites has a much more welcome selection dilemma between the posts.

Brazil isn’t a footballing nation particularly famed for its goalkeepers, but the Selecao have had a very clear first choice since the early 50s, up until the last few years at least.

Since Gilmar first donned the gloves in 1953, Emerson Leao, Claudio Taffarel, Dida and Julio Cesar - up until 2014 - have assumed the number one position, each earning 80 caps or more.

Things are far less straightforward now, however, with two of the top keepers in the game battling it out for coach Tite’s affections.

They are, of course, Alisson of Roma and Ederson of Manchester City, and both will have aspirations of holding the jersey for some time. Aged just 25 and 24 respectively after all, this is a tussle that promises to go on for much of the next decade.

So who, based on this season’s performances, deserves the starting spot this summer?

It’s Alisson that appears to be just ahead of his younger counterpart in the pecking order, and he who has taken the mantle from the aforementioned Cesar in the most part until now. Indeed, Ederson only made his international debut in the final qualifying game against Chile back in October, with Brazil’s place in Russia assured.

It may seem mad to fans of the Premier League that such a talented keeper may only be second choice - particularly given the quality of those at England’s disposal - but Alisson is in pole position for a reason.

The Roma stopper has enjoyed an outstanding campaign in Serie A as well as helping the Italian outfit to the Champions League quarter-finals, keeping 17 clean sheets in 37 appearances across the tournaments. That’s one fewer than Ederson (18) in the league and Europe combined, but the former has had to produce considerably more saves to reach his tally.

In fact, while Alisson has conceded six more goals (31) than his compatriot in said competitions, he has produced a whopping 54 more saves, with 124 to Ederson’s 70. With that in mind, the Roma star’s 79% save success rate is enough to rank fourth in Europe’s top five leagues and the Champions League combined, with Ederson some way back on a still impressive 74.5%.

It is, as a result, Alisson (7.03) that boasts the greater WhoScored.com rating than the Manchester City man (6.80), and the sought after stopper that may well get the chance to put himself in the shop window this summer.