Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has had a tough rise to the top, but he’s now the most valuable goalkeeper in world football. The 25-year-old probably couldn’t even imagine this feat when he was toughing it out at the lower leagues a few years ago.
The Englishman began his professional career at Sheffield United, and even his road to becoming their no.1 was filled with obstacles. Ramsdale loan spells at lower league clubs like Workstop Town, Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon before returning to the Blades in 2020 for £18.5 million.
Aaron Ramsdale’s rags to riches story
Ramsdale won the Sheffield United Player of the Year award at the end of the 2020-21 season. Soon after that, he was roped in by Arsenal in a move that caused a stir in the fanbase back then – with a lot of fans angry to see their club sign a player with little Premier League experience.
The 25-year-old slowly but surely proved his doubters wrong and is now an extremely popular figure at Arsenal. He’s loved by the fans for his loveable personality and never-say-die attitude. Ramsdale’s antics also make him a dislikeable figure for rival fans.
He’s even been accused of ‘playing for the camera’ after a video emerged from the Arsenal ‘All or Nothing’ Amazon documentary in which the goalkeeper was gutted not to keep a clean sheet in a big win for Arsenal in the 2021/22 season.
How much is Ramsdale currently valued at?
Ramsdale kept 14 clean sheets in 38 Premier League games last season, being the only Arsenal player to play every minute. His most memorable performance include a heroic performance at Anfield in his side’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool and riling up Tottenham fans so much that one tried kicking him in the 2-0 win over Spurs in January.
The Englishman has been rewarded for his heroics by being named as the most valuable goalkeeper in world football by the CIES Football Observatory. He’s valued at a whopping €79 million – more than the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma (€75 million), Alisson (€67 million) and Thibaut Courtois (€52 million).
Fortunately for Arsenal, they’re set to reap the rewards of putting utmost faith on Ramsdale in the coming years. The 25-year-old is yet to hit his peak and his value is only going to soar upwards as he gets better and better in the years to come.
