EPL International Goalkeepers Headed to the World Cup | Unfiltered Soccer

Summary

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Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan & Tim Howard

Episode: EPL International Goalkeepers Headed to the World Cup

Date: February 28, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, Landon Donovan (LD) and Tim Howard break down the Premier League’s top goalkeepers who are set to feature at the 2026 World Cup. Against the backdrop of their own experience as elite international players, Donovan and Howard dissect headline goalkeepers, analyze rising stars, and debate critical question marks. The conversation spans England, Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Ireland – always through the unfiltered lens of two legends of the USMNT.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Headliners: Established Elite Goalkeepers (00:12 - 06:41)

Jordan Pickford – England

• Tim Howard: England are “at the back end of their brilliance.” If they don't deliver now, their golden era might be closing (00:43).
• Pickford has endured England’s harsh media glare: “You don’t want to be England number one. And he’s worn that shirt better than nearly many, many have.” (01:51)
• Pickford’s reliability gives England hope: “If England performs up to their expectations and Jordan Pickford does what he’s pretty much done... I’m looking at him thinking there’s a good chance he could be one of the big headliners.” (02:43)
• Landon Donovan: “If they are going to do really well and, or win the tournament, [Pickford’s] got to be lights out.” (02:49)

Emi Martinez – Argentina

• Tim Howard: “Martinez is looked upon as winning awards as the world’s best goalkeeper. And I think that happens when you win a World Cup.” (03:11)
• Praises Martinez’s personality and clutch performances: “There’s a character to him... but I also think he does the business. He makes big save after big save.” (03:23)
• “If he doubles down and becomes a two-time World Cup winner, then you’re going down in history as one of the greatest.” (03:47)
• LD: “Now you’re like Mount Rushmore.” (03:53)

Alisson – Brazil

• Tim Howard: “Alisson, for me, maybe starting to come out of this conversation, but he for me is the best goalkeeper in the world.” (04:38)
• Praises his technical skills: “When I look at the purity of goalkeeping, he does... his decision making... Really good. When to come, when to stay. Doesn’t get beat easily in terms of one on one goals.” (04:48)
• Compares his 1v1 ability to Manuel Neuer’s prime (05:10).
• “Brazil is always exciting... If he can be all the things I just said... we’re talking headliners.” (05:55)
• LD: “There are certain goalkeepers, when you look up, the goalkeeper looks big and you’re like, I can’t put this anywhere.” (06:29)

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2. Breakout Stars: New Talent to Watch (06:41 - 08:16)

Bart Verbruggen – Netherlands

• LD: Agrees with Howard–Verbruggen is a likely breakout, “our guy.”
• Tim Howard: “He’s had a really good run [at Brighton]... he’s really good with his feet. You have to be when you play for the Netherlands.” (06:57)
• Sees Verbruggen’s rise tied to Netherlands’ team performance: “If the Netherlands put it together and they make a run as a team, he will have opportunities to shine. I don’t think he’s going to stand on his head and win them games.” (07:33)
• “From the kicking aspect, right and left foot, very, very high marks. The rest... he’s good, but I wouldn’t say he’s top, top.” (08:08)

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3. Question Marks: The Contenders with Uncertainty (08:17 - 13:51)

David Raya – Spain

• LD: Despite rarely conceding for Arsenal, could be Spain’s number three at the World Cup: “Is he someone who should be starting? I think, yeah.” (08:16)
• Tim Howard: “He may not see the field... The question mark is, though, if in fact he does, he might show that he’s the best goalkeeper in the camp.” (08:39)
• On Spain’s selection bias: “When you play for Spain, if you ain’t playing for one of the top teams in Spain, I think you lose ground.” (09:10)
• “David Raya... is very good... in the conversation for top three goalkeepers in the world. And he’s number three on his team. That’s just wild.” (09:33)
• Shares a personal anecdote: “I walk out [for warmup]... and it was Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes... I go, I’m the fourth best goalkeeper walking out right now.” (10:54-11:04)
• “I think he probably won’t get a chance. But, if he does, I think he’ll light it up.” (11:11)

Kelleher (Ireland) and Donnarumma (Italy)

• Donnarumma:
  • Tim Howard: “He’s massive presence... pedigree... won a lot with Italy.” (11:44)
  • “Italy... can defend the lead for three days... but part of that is relying on your goalkeeper as well... he has the flair for the dramatic.” (12:30)
  • “Every save he makes is like a World Cup winning save, even if it’s in the smallest of games. He just pumps his fists and he goes crazy. I love watching him.” (12:49)
• Kelleher:
  • Has only recently left Liverpool (where he deputized for Alisson) for Brentford: “He’s having a good season again... He makes the saves he’s supposed to. He’s there when it matters.” (13:06)
  • LD: “If Ireland get through... just sheer volume of chances against him, he could end up being a star.” (13:51)
  • Howard: “I have question marks about, you know, about whether he can perform at that level, but I think he can given the opportunity.” (13:44)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On England’s golden era:
  “They’ve been close... I think they’re at like, the back end of their brilliance, right? If they don’t do something big now, then like, they’re finished in 2000.”
  — Tim Howard (00:43)

• On Pickford’s media pressure:
  “You don’t want to be England number one. And he’s worn that shirt better than nearly many, many have.”
  — Tim Howard (01:51)

• On Martinez’s rise:
  “If he doubles down and becomes a two-time World Cup winner, then... you’re going down in history as one of the greatest.”
  — Tim Howard (03:47)

• On Alisson’s mastery:
  “When I look at the purity of goalkeeping... his decision making... When to come, when to stay. Doesn’t get beat easily in terms of one on one goals.”
  — Tim Howard (04:48)

• Offbeat confidence check:
  “I walk out [for warmup]... Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes... I go, I’m the fourth best goalkeeper walking out right now.”
  — Tim Howard (10:54-11:04)

• On Donnarumma’s dramatic flair:
  “Every save he makes is like a World Cup winning save, even if it’s in the smallest of games. He just pumps his fists and he goes crazy. I love watching him.”
  — Tim Howard (12:49)

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Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Highlights | |-----------|-----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:12 | Episode starts; theme introduction | Focused on EPL goalkeepers at the World Cup | | 00:43 | Jordan Pickford analysis | England's tournament window closing; Pickford's pressure | | 03:11 | Emi Martinez discussion | World Cup legacy, big moments | | 04:38 | Alisson in-depth | Goalkeeping purity, technical excellence | | 06:41 | Breakout: Bart Verbruggen | Strengths, team impact, not a classic “standout” | | 08:17 | Spain’s conundrum: David Raya | Top talent but unlikely to play, national team politics | | 10:54 | Howard’s anecdote: meeting Spain’s trio | Self-deprecating humor, insight into Spain’s GK wealth | | 11:21 | Kelleher (Ireland) & Donnarumma (Italy) | Their prospects if teams qualify |

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Tone & Style Highlights

• Conversational and candid, with deep technical expertise.
• Generously sprinkled with both wisdom and humility—a trademark of the hosts.
• The chemistry between Donovan and Howard brings humor, insight, and a sense of shared experience throughout.

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Summary

In this episode of Unfiltered Soccer, Donovan and Howard expertly preview EPL goalkeepers likely to be World Cup difference-makers. Their analysis balances tactical detail, personal anecdotes, and fun banter. They spotlight established stars (Pickford, Martinez, Alisson), emerging talents (Verbruggen), and unresolved question marks (Raya, Kelleher, Donnarumma), all with a focus on how club performances and personalities might translate to the biggest stage.

If you want a nuanced, insider take on international goalkeeping in 2026, this episode makes for essential listening.

Transcript

[Tim Howard]

Foreign.

[LD]

This bonus content is brought to you by Virgin Atlantic. All right, Tim, we're going to break down some of the Premier League's most talented players and how we think they'll perform at this summer's World Cup. And to kick it off today, we are focusing on the goalkeepers. Your people, Tim, My people. So let's get right into it. The headliners. These are names. People probably know a lot. If they watch the Premier League, they're going to know these names. I'm going to say the names, Tim. I want you to walk through them. Tell me how you think they'll do for their national team. Let's start. Jordan Pickford, certainly one of the headliners here.

[Tim Howard]

Yeah, he is for me. Yeah. So as we talk through headliners, my mind sort of goes to, like, already established top in the world. Can they. Can they pull off either a miracle or pull off a miracle again in certain terms? So, you know, Jordan Pickford and England have been close, right? They've been close in World Cups, they've been close in. In Euro competition, in European Championships. So this is a team that's. It's hard to, sort of hard to quantify. But, like, I think they're at like, the back end of their brilliance, right? Like, like, if, if they don't do something big now, then like, the, they're finished in 2000.

[LD]

I think the windows closed.

[Tim Howard]

The window's starting to, like, close. Not that the players are getting older. I mean, they have a good, you know, good sort of average age on the team. But then you start to, like, you no longer go into. Into these tournaments then going, ooh, they're. We can pick them from maybe winning it. So. And Jordan Pickford, you know, he, he's been, for me, so incredibly interesting. Okay. He obviously plays for Everton, you know, a shirt that I once wore for a very long time, and he's worn it brilliantly and sort of, you know, over the course of his time at Everton, a long time, he's, he's kind of. He's been brilliant. Like, he hasn't really put a foot wrong in terms of Premier League. You know, every goalkeeper makes mistakes. Yeah. But he's been absolutely brilliant for them. And then you go to England and it's really hard, which is incredible because, by the way, you want to talk about a position in England ld that gets torn apart by the media, it's goalkeeper. I mean, you don't want to be in England number one. And he's worn that shirt better than nearly many, many have. And so I just sort of look at him and think if, if England performs up to their, you know, their expectations and Jordan Pickford does what he's pretty much done in every major tournament for since he took over the number one shirt for England. I'm looking at him thinking there's a, there's a good chance he could be one of the big headliners.

[LD]

What feels like if they are going to do really well and, or win the tournament, he's got to be lights out. Like that's what it feels like. And if he is, I think they have a decent chance to go pretty deep. That's how it feels to me. Yeah. Okay. Emmy Martinez plays for Villa and Argentina, the defending World cup champions.

[Tim Howard]

So I mean, Martinez is looked upon as winning awards as the world's best goalkeeper. And I think that happens when you win a World Cup. Right. I've certainly put him in that conversation. He's sort of an enigma because there's a character to him, there's antics, but I also think he does the business. He makes big save after big save. So look, Argentina are going to be in the conversation, aren't they? I would think they're going to be in the conversation for a team who can win the World Cup. And, and I, I think the easy part is, look, if he doubles down and becomes a two time World cup winner, then, then you're, then you're starting to not even be like the best goalkeeper in the world. You're going, you're going down in history as one of the greatest.

[LD]

Now you're like Mount Rushmore.

[Tim Howard]

Yeah. So, so I think that that's a pretty obvious one of, of why I think he'll be a headliner. But again, he, and I also say this, he plays on a team that seemed to have no fear and he himself plays sort of, you know, part of the antics and part of the arrogance is, is he doesn't seem to. Big moments like what are those? He doesn't seem to worry about those. Which is, which is impressive. And I think back to some of the saves he made in the final, you know, to sort of help propel Argentina to win. Like, not everybody's doing that. That's, that's meant for a special person in a special moment. So he has that.

[LD]

Okay. His bitter rival in South America, Brazilian Alison Liverpool.

[Tim Howard]

You know, Allison, for me maybe starting to come out of this conversation, but he for me is the best goalkeeper in the world.

[LD]

Oh, interesting.

[Tim Howard]

I think, yeah. You know, you know, certainly has been over the last four years. Again, a goalkeeper who just. When I look at, when I look at the purity of goalkeeping, he does like his decision making. LD is really good. Really good. When to come, when to stay. Doesn't get beat easily in terms of one on one goal. Remember Manuel Neuer just was brilliant at one on ones.

[LD]

So good.

[Tim Howard]

Yeah, yeah. Allison's taken over that sort of mantle and he's got this really interesting sort of spread technique where he doesn't completely sell out, but he covers a lot of the goal or a lot of the sort of the lane for a striker coming in one on one. It's brilliant. It's so hard to beat him one on one. He makes, he makes the brilliant saves. He, he, he comes in punches and claims and he's, he's just the best for me. Now I say all that. I don't, I don't have Brazil picked to win the World cup, but Brazil is always exciting there. You know, there's never a sort of a moment of, of humdrum boredom when you're watching Brazil in a World Cup. It's always excitement. So look, if he can, if he can be all the things I just said, you know, to Brazil, then I think, I think again, we're talking headliners. You know, does he get them into the last four into semifinal round? Does he get them to a final and ultimately win? If he does that, then yes, he absolutely is a headliner.

[LD]

It's interesting to hear you talk about it from a goalkeeping perspective of coming out and making himself big, because from an attacking perspective, as I'm going in either alone or with pressure or a little at an angle, there are certain goalkeepers, when you look up, the goal looks big.

[Tim Howard]

Totally.

[LD]

And there are certain goalkeepers, when you look up, the goalkeeper looks big and you're like, I don't have. There's no. I can't put this anywhere right. And so, like, guys like that make it just mentally make it really hard.

[Tim Howard]

Yeah. Okay, that's interesting.

[LD]

Yeah. Let's talk breakout stars. We both agreed on this one. Our guy, Bart Februgen. Thoughts on if he can be, and if so, how he will be a breakout sport at the World Cup. He's the Brighton starter and plays for Netherlands.

[Tim Howard]

That's right. That's right. He plays, you know, plays at Brighton. You know, he's had a, he's had a really good run there since he was brought in, obviously to clear out and out number one. I don't think, I don't think Verbrugen sort of lights the world on fire. He's a good goalkeeper. He's obviously, you know, he's really good with his feet. You have to be.

[LD]

You have to.

[Tim Howard]

When you play for the Netherlands, certainly the way he was recruited to Brighton, because they play that way. He's sort of, when I think of breakout stars, he's sort of the opposite of what we've been talking about. Can Allison sort of carry Brazil? This is going to be the opposite. I think if the Netherlands put it together and they make a run as a team, he will have opportunities to shine. I don't think he's going to stand on his head and win them games. Does that make sense? So then, so then sort of by default he becomes a breakout star because the team is doing well. So. So. But again, he does from. From the kicking aspect, right and left foot, very, very high marks. The rest of the aspects of goalkeeping, shot, shot, stopping, sort of commanding aerially. He's good. He's good, but he. But I wouldn't say he's top. Top.

[LD]

Okay.

[Tim Howard]

All right.

[LD]

And then let's move. Last one. The question marks. It's crazy to say this, given the struggles we are now having with the national team, with. With goalkeeping talent, but David Raya, who rarely gives up goals for Arsenal, he might not even be the number two for Spain, he might be the number three. But is he someone who should be starting? I think, yeah.

[Tim Howard]

So they have. They have Simone and Garcia in front of him for Spain. You know, he. I think he goes into the question mark category because this is a guy. He may not see the field. He may not see the field. The question mark is, though, if in fact he does, he might show that he's the best goalkeeper in. In the, in the camp. And you know, look, when you look at Spain, right, we. We have this really interesting sort of you and I talk about all the time. Do you play in mls? Do you play for the.

[LD]

For.

[Tim Howard]

For a team in Europe? And if you do, do you get the rub of the green? Does the national team coach care? I think I'm going to go on record here, LD and basically say when you play for Spain, if you ain't playing for one of the top teams in Spain, I think you. I think you lose ground.

[LD]

Interesting, right? Because I think that's looked down upon that he's at. He's out in a different country.

[Tim Howard]

I think it's unsaid. I think it's unsaid because David Raya, by the way, is very good. I mean, he's in the conversation for top three goalkeepers in the world. And he's number three on his team. That's just wild on his national team, which is crazy, right? But again, I will say this. So my point is, if he gets an opportunity, this is a guy who's cruising the Champions League, probably going to win the Premier League. Like he's lights out, can keep a clean sheet in his sleep. Like he'll go on to the World cup stage if he gets an opportunity, big if. And it'll be water off a duck's back. Easy, easy. So the interesting thing though, can I tell a quick brief anecdote about. So Spain has always had good goalkeepers, bro. Always had good goalkeepers. And I remember, I don't know if you played in this game. We played, I think, I don't know who's coach. I think Bob Bradley was a coach. We played Spain in, in Gillette or Foxboro. Can't remember. This was Gillette.

[LD]

I was sick that day. I remember because I was sunny day when I could see the stadium.

[Tim Howard]

Okay, okay. So we're walking out for a warmup, right? I'm Tim Howard. I've played for Manchester United, in Everton, I've been World Cups. I walk out strutting my stuff and I get to the, you know, goalkeepers go out first, ld for warmup and the tunnel's dark and then there's the opening and there's a bright light and there's a couple guys standing there and I walk out and it was, help me out here. It was Cassias. It was Pepe Reina.

[LD]

Oh, yeah, Pepe Reyna.

[Tim Howard]

And it was someone else. I'm drawing a blank and producers could probably tell us. And it dawned on me as I'm striding out, I go, I'm the fourth

[LD]

best goalkeeper walking out right now.

[Tim Howard]

There's not many goalkeepers in the stadium and I'm the fourth best.

[LD]

That's so good.

[Tim Howard]

And I remember thinking, well, that's humbling. So anyway, so I think he probably won't get a chance. But I, you know, if he does, I think he'll light it up.

[LD]

All right, two guys to finish up who may not be there just because their teams may not. Kelleher, who's the Irish number one, and Donaruma from Italy. Thoughts on them?

[Tim Howard]

Thoughts on them. Just. I will get to that. I'll segue. It was Pepe Reyna, Iker Casillas and Victor Valtes from Barcelona.

[LD]

All the best.

[Tim Howard]

I'm like, hey, guys.

[LD]

Hi.

[Tim Howard]

Until. Anyway, so, yeah, well, Donnaruma is, you know, he's massive presence played everywhere. You know, you talk about AC Milan as. I think he was a 16 year old when he came through, which is weird because he looks like he's 46 and I think he's only like in his mid-20s, you know, PSG Man City. So he has the, you know, he has this sort of pedigree. He's won a lot with Italy, so if they get through, he's another one sort of. Remember again, going back to the Allison conversation. He's another one who. With the way that Italy play and you know this, right? Italy is all tactical so they can defend. Italy could defend the lead for three days. Like they don't care. Oh, there's like ten minutes. Yeah, whatever, that's fine. We'll just, we'll defend our box. But part of that is sort of relying on your, your goalkeeper as well in moments to plug holes. So I, I think he's brilliant. He has, he's, he's shown the flair for Japan. Dramatic. Every save is a, you know, every save he makes is like a World cup winning save, even if it's in the smallest of games. He just pumps his fists and he goes crazy. I love watching him. So he could be one.

[LD]

Okay.

[Tim Howard]

And Kelleher, well, Kelleher has been sort of, you know, because he's been an understudy to Allison at Liverpool. It was always, when's he going to get his chance? When's he going to get his chance? So he went on loan a few times. He deputized for Allison when he was injured. Did brilliantly well always. So it was time for him to move on. He moves on to Brenford. They're having a fine season. He's having a good season again. He's not one ld that. I think he sort of lights the world ablaze. He makes the saves. He's supposed to. He's there when it matters. Look, if, if Ireland get through, I think it's, it's. It's pretty well understood that he. There'll be backs against the wall in a lot of games and he'll have to come, he'll have to come up on top. So, yeah, if, if they do the business, if they qualify and get there, he'll certainly be one to watch in terms of, you know, I have question marks about, you know, about whether he can perform at that level, but I think he can given the opportunity.

[LD]

It's one of those where just sheer volume of chances against him, he could end up being a star. Sure, Timmy. And as you know, on the field. Every player matters. And when it comes to their guests, Virgin Atlantic sees it exactly the same way.

[Tim Howard]

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[LD]

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[Tim Howard]

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[LD]

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[Tim Howard]

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[LD]

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[LD]

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[Tim Howard]

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[LD]

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[Tim Howard]

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[LD]

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[Tim Howard]

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[LD]

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