Michael Cooper

Cooper stops shots with an economy that comes from repetition, positioning himself early rather than relying on reflexes alone to bail him out. His kicking is a genuine weapon, since he treats every goal kick as the first pass of a move rather than a chance to simply clear his lines. That habit gives Sheffield United an extra outlet when opponents press high, because Cooper is comfortable enough to wait a beat longer than most goalkeepers would risk.

The question at Sheffield United is whether that calm under pressure survives games where the back four in front of him is stretched and exposed. League One rewarded confidence more than it punished mistakes, and the Championship is far less forgiving of a goalkeeper caught in no man's land. Cooper has shown he can dominate his box against attackers who test him physically, which matters more now than it ever did before.