Pace is a defining characteristic shared by many of the Premier League’s most legendary attackers. Think back to the 1990s and recall a youthful Ryan Giggs, with his trademark curly hair and fearless runs down the wing at Old Trafford. During that same era, a young Michael Owen was making waves at Anfield with his lightning speed.
As we moved into the 2000s, Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as two of the fastest and most skillful players, dazzling fans with their rapid play. The 2010s then saw the rise of speedsters like Kyle Walker and Gareth Bale, who kept the tradition of pace alive in the league.
Now, as we approach 2026, the question arises: which of today’s Premier League players possess the kind of speed that could rival Olympic sprinters? Names like Erling Haaland and Adama Traore naturally come to mind. Additionally, Spurs’ center-back Micky Van de Ven showcased his impressive pace with a remarkable run through Copenhagen’s defense in a recent Champions League match.
Despite their speed, none of these players make it to the top five in a newly released list of the league’s fastest players, as reported by Daily Mail Sport this week.
Erling Haaland and Adama Traore spring to mind, and so too does Spurs centre-half Micky Van de Ven after his burst through Copenhagen’s defence in the Champions League last month.
There’s no place for Erling Haaland on our list of the Premier League’s quickest players
Wolves’ Jackson Tchatchoua is the fastest player in the league with a top speed of 23.2mph
Yet none of the above top or even warrant a top-five spot in a new list of the league’s quickest players shared with Daily Mail Sport this week.
No, that title goes to Wolves full-back Jackson Tchatchoua.
Signed in the summer from Hellas Verona after being named Serie A’s fastest player last season with a top speed of 22.4mph, the 24-year-old has incredibly eclipsed that number since arriving in the Black Country.
He’s been clocked at 23.2mph, according to Opta. For reference, the fastest ever speed recorded by a human was when Usain Bolt reached 27.8mph during a 100m race at the 2009 World Championships.
The Belgian clocked in some 0.6mph faster that his closest competitor, Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie (22.6mph), while new Manchester United recruit Bryan Mbeumo (22.58mph) has to settle for bronze.
Occupying the fourth and fifth spots are Chelsea’s Pedro Neto (22.57mph) and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon (22.53mph), with the rest of the top 10 consisting of Daniel James (22.45mph), Yankuba Minteh (22.44mph), Anthony Elanga (22.36mph), Nico O’Reilly (22.36mph), Kevin (22.34mph) and William Osula (22.34mph).
Remarkably, there’s no place for Haaland or Van de Ven despite both being named as two of the league’s quickest in years gone-by.
But how about the league’s slowest? A title no one wants to scoop.
Destiny Udogie and Bryan Mbeumo occupy the second and third spots in Opta’s list
The rarely seen Harvey Elliott meanwhile makes our list of the league’s slowest players
If we were to include shot-stoppers then Nottingham Forest’s John Victor would be the unlucky man named the top flight’s very own tortoise. However I’m not sure that’s fair. After all, who cares about a goalkeeper’s pace?
In terms of outfield players, Brighton’s Joe Knight’s top speed of 12.47mph is the slowest recorded by any Premier League player so far this season, though that’s a little misleading. The 20-year-old has played just a solitary minute of league football for the Seagulls, so likely didn’t break into a sprint.
In fact, none of the four slowest have played more than two minutes all season. Nehemiah Oriola (12.69mph) has played just one minute for Brighton, Odsonne Edouard (13.71mph) just a couple for Crystal Palace and Everton’s Harrison Armstrong (14.78mph) was also brought on in the dying embers for his solitary appearance.
It’s with Diego Coppola in fifth where we begin to understand who exactly is the league’s slowest player. The Italian has reached a top speed of just 14.99mph in the 107 minutes he’s featured under Fabian Hurzeler this term.
He beats Sunderland’s Dan Neil (15.18mph), Crystal Palace’s Borna Sosa (15.4mph) and, to compound his Villa Park misery, Harvey Elliott. The now rarely seen Englishman has clocked in with a top speed of 15.5mph during his four appearances in claret and blue.
Meanwhile occupying the ninth and tenth spots on our slowest players list are Mateo Kovacic (15.6mph) and Mike Tresor (15.7mph).
