Who is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League?

Is Hugo Lloris the best in the Premier League?

There are some outstanding goalkeepers in the Premier League, but who is currently the pick of the crop? Alex Johnson investigates.

The Premier League is blessed with some of the best goalkeepers in world football.

Some of the greatest exponents of goalkeeping ply their trade in England, producing breath-taking and match-saving moments on a weekly basis.

But who is the best in the Premier League? Let's take a look at three of the front-runners and consider which one of them has the skills to be proclaimed the top dog in England.

Despite having only played in the Premier League for a matter of months, there can be no argument against the fact that Thibaut Courtois is one of the best numbers ones in England. The Chelsea shot-stopper may be only 22 years of age - which is very young for a goalkeeper - but he has already had an illustrious career, despite his tentative years. Courtois won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League during three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, as well as twice winning the Zamora Trophy for the goalkeeper with the lowest goals to game ratio in La Liga.

The 25-times capped Belgian international, who signed for Chelsea from Genk in July 2011, is now firmly number one at Stamford Bridge and has forced Petr Cech, also one of the world's best, to sit on the bench. Courtois looks unflappable and his supreme confidence must be a real boost to the defenders in front of him. He looks a safe pair of hands as well as a fantastic shot-stopper when called into action. Courtois is a great goalkeeper and looks set to have a long and illustrious career in front of him.

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Tottenham's Hugo Lloris has cemented his position as one of the league's best during his time in north London. Spurs have endured ups and downs over the last year, but it could have been even worse had it not been for the heroics of the French international.

Lloris joined Spurs from Lyon in August 2012 and is now firmly lodged in the number one spot at White Hart Lane. The 27-year-old has won a legion of admirers thanks to his reliability and intelligence in goal. He specialises in smart saves and acts as a sweeper behind the Spurs back-line. When things are tough at the club, it must be a huge relief to have a dependable, top-class goalkeeper as the last line of defence. How long Lloris remains at Spurs has to be in question, as his displays have seen him linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs.

England's number one Joe Hart does also show flashes of brilliance, but suffers at times from periods when he is out of form. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a great career at Manchester City, winning three Premier League titles and one FA Cup, while Hart is also closing in on 50 England caps and looks set to be a mainstay for club and country for years to come.

During City's 2013/14 Premier League title-winning season Hart conceded less than a goal a game, despite going through a rough patch of form that saw him replaced by Costel Pantilimon. Hart's heroics have rescued City both domestically and in Europe over recent years and, when at his best, he is up there with his greatest rivals.

It should be noted that Manchester United's David de Gea was unlucky to miss out on the top three as he has improved season-on-season for his club and, at 23, also has a bright future.

Overall, despite it still being early in his Premier League career, Courtois stands out as the best goalkeeper. His reliability and solid presence must be a real boost for Chelsea as they strive for the title this season.