For many, David de Gea is the best goalkeeper on the planet. While the likes of Jan Oblak and older legends of the game such as Gigi Buffon and Iker Casillas may dispute that, the Madrid-born star is a true icon of the modern game. With a reputation for turning unbelievable shots into routine saves, and reaching shots he has no right to get to, de Gea has long been one of the most promising keepers in the world.

Ever since he broke through into the Atletico Madrid first-team in 2009, he soon became an elite member of the goalkeeping community. From a young age, he was seen as the long-term successor for Casillas himself. At Atletico Madrid, he picked up European honours as he starred in their 2010 UEFA Europa League and Super Cup successes.

In 2011, though, the star was on the move as he became the long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United. As one of the last major signings by Alex Ferguson to be a major success, his then-record move for a goalkeeper in Britain ensured he soon became a legend for the club.

At just 27, the keeper has been one of the best performers of his age group. His incredible flexibility makes him a simple choice for most when looking at the top keepers in the world. In fact, since he arrived in the Premier League, he’s been among the top keepers in the league for making saves per game.

Given he plays for a top club, that shows just how good de Gea is. Often, top club keepers are underworked; the Spaniard manages to help United win many games where they play below their standards but still win. From making wild saves to consistency, he’s the full package for a shot stopping keeper.

While to some Brazilian international keeper Heurelho Gomes makes too many mistakes to be considered a top keeper, that seems harsh. For the majority of his career, 37-year-old Gomes has played a key role in a variety of clubs’ success.

He arguably came to prominence when he arrived in Holland in 2004 as the goalkeeper of PSV Eindhoven. That being said, he was a stand-out in Brazil when he played for Cruzeiro; a move to Holland only helped to expand and build on his profile. While he had his usual erratic moments and is known for making mistakes, he’s also a tremendous shot stopper of incredible poise and accuracy.

He was a major part of PSV doing a whopping 4-in-a-row in the Eredivisie, and also helped the club to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in his first season at the club. In the years to come, he helped the club to move out of the group stages and beyond. For 14 years prior to his arrival, PSV had fell at the group stages or fell at the second round.

A major favourite in Eindhoven, his move to Tottenham Hotspur could be considered less successful. While his erratic nature shone through most significantly at Spurs, where he had several high profile errors, he was a keeper wo regularly helped the club out with solid displays and major moments.

After the Spurs episode, he made a move to Germany briefly, with TSG Hoffenheim, before returning to England to sign with Watford. He won the Player of the Season award at the club in 2015/16, and has been a regular and consistent part of the clubs’ growth and development into a consistent Premier League outfit.

Many might remember the 11-cap Brazilian for errors; but it’s his reflexes that matter most.

A recently unveiled statue of Liverpool’s Mo Salah has caused something of stir on account that it holds more of a resemblance to 70’s pop supremo Leo Sayer. The sculpture by Mai Abdallah , was unveiled this week in Egypt has been mocked online by thousands of twitter and facebook users who pointed out that its part of a long line of terrible sculpted tributes to footballing heroes (think back to the much derided bust tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo). While it captures Salah’s trademark Arms Outstretched pose, it would be rather generous to say that it actually looks much like the Liverpool star!

Unless you’ve been under a rock recently you’ll have seen the drummed up story in the media regarding how ‘outrageous’ it is that Manchester City and England player Raheem Sterling has a gun tattoo on his leg. Of course when these things get media attention as resul of a significant media push, it does seem to sucker in a lot of outrage from groups and individuals. The founder of Mothers Against Guns, Lucy Cope had this to say about the tattoo when asked:

“We demand he has the tattoo lasered off or covered up with a different tattoo.

“If he refuses he should be dropped from the England team. He’s supposed to be a role model but chooses to glamorise guns.”

I have a lot of sympathy for any parent whose life has been impacted by gun violence. That being said, the language used here, the demand aspect especially, while understandable is clearly somewhat overboard and presumptuous.

Sterling sought to open up about the matter by stating :  “When I was two my father died from being gunned down to death. I made a promise to myself I would never touch a gun in my lifetime.”

“I shoot with my right foot so it has a deeper meaning.”

So this is clearly an issue close to his heart too, he’s effectively a ‘Son Against Guns’ after suffering tragedy at a young age due to gun violence. Just because he has an image of a gun on his leg, the actual message is far, far from the glamourisation of guns or gun culture.

You’d think that this would be the end of the matter but The Sun newspaper today doubled down and invited the Father of Damilol Taylor, whose son died in a street attack, to speak out against Raheem Sterling and his tattoo.

To me this crosses a line and is such an unnecessary and over the top response and series of events. There is a very real element of exploitation too because of course people who suffered due to violence are going to have issues with guns. To frame it in such a way though and to target a football player whose own Father was shot and killed when he was a child is the lowest of the low.

This isn’t the first time the press and epsecially The Sun have gone after Raheem Sterling. It’s routine and unsettling. There’s debate on social network over whether racism is at play, or a class issue, or just a fixation on England footballers being that we’re so close to the Russia 2018 World Cup, but whatever the reason it’s pitiful and uncalled for if you ask me.