Speed has always been a defining trait of the Premier League's most iconic attackers. From Ryan Giggs' electrifying runs in the 90s to Thierry Henry's blistering pace in the 2000s, the ability to outrun an opponent is a prized asset. But in the modern game, who currently holds the title of the division's ultimate speedster? The answer, according to the latest data, may come as a surprise.
The Need for Speed: Who Tops the Charts?
New statistics shared with Daily Mail Sport this week have revealed the Premier League's quickest players based on top speed this season. Topping the list is Wolverhampton Wanderers full-back Jackson Tchatchoua. The Belgian defender, signed from Hellas Verona in the summer, has been recorded at an astonishing top speed of 23.2 miles per hour.
This figure sees him comfortably outpace his nearest rivals. In second place is Tottenham Hotspur's Destiny Udogie, clocked at 22.6mph, while new Manchester United signing Bryan Mbeumo takes third with 22.58mph. The top five is rounded out by Chelsea's Pedro Neto (22.57mph) and Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon (22.53mph).
Surprising Omissions and the Full Top Ten
Remarkably, the list features no place for renowned speedsters like Erling Haaland or Micky van de Ven, both previously highlighted for their rapid pace. Instead, the rankings showcase a mix of wingers, full-backs, and attacking midfielders.
The complete top ten, as per Opta data, is as follows:
- Jackson Tchatchoua (Wolves) - 23.2mph
- Destiny Udogie (Spurs) - 22.6mph
- Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd) - 22.58mph
- Pedro Neto (Chelsea) - 22.57mph
- Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) - 22.53mph
- Daniel James (Leeds) - 22.45mph
- Yankuba Minteh (Brighton) - 22.44mph
- Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) - 22.36mph
- Nico O'Reilly (Man City) - 22.36mph
- Kevin (Fulham) - 22.34mph
For context, the fastest speed ever recorded by a human was Usain Bolt's 27.8mph during the 2009 World Championships.
The Other End of the Spectrum: The League's Slowest
Every list has a bottom, and in the Premier League's speed rankings, that unwanted title belongs to Brighton's Joe Knight. The 20-year-old has registered a top speed of just 12.47mph, though it must be noted he has played only a single minute of league football this season.
Among players with more substantial minutes, the slowest recorded is Chelsea's Diego Coppola. The Italian defender has reached a maximum of 14.99mph across 107 minutes of action. He is followed in the slowest rankings by Sunderland's Dan Neil (15.18mph) and Aston Villa's rarely-seen Harvey Elliott (15.5mph).
The data provides a fascinating insight into the athletic demands of the modern Premier League, where explosive pace is not just for forwards but a weapon deployed across the pitch, from flying full-backs to relentless wingers. While the glory often goes to the goalscorers, these numbers prove that sometimes, pure speed is its own reward.
