A lightning-quick Luton star, Liverpool’s pacey summer signing – and a surprise overall winner! The fastest Premier League players – and where YOUR club’s quickest man ranks
The Premier League has been graced with lightning-quick players since its inception in 1992, and the 2023-24 campaign proved no exception.
The title race came down to the wire, with Manchester City and Arsenal both still in contention to lift the trophy going into the final day.
But in the end, Pep Guardiola‘s formidable machine claimed a record fourth-consecutive Premier League title, and Mikel Arteta‘s side were forced to miss out on silverware for the second season in a row.
Players like Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, Mykhailo Mudryk of Chelsea, and Manchester City captain Kyle Walker have raised hell and punished defences in the English top-flight – but who comes out the fastest now the dust has settled?
Here, Mail Sport runs through the fastest players on each of the Premier League teams and their quickest performances – and be warned, there are quite a few shocks below.
The 2023-24 campaign has seen a number of lightning-quick players change the game for their sides, including Gabriel Martinelli
Manchester City captain Kyle Walker is often noted for his electric pace in defence
Chelsea’s Ukrainian recruit Mykhailo Mudryk is another player renowned for his speed
Arsenal – Gabriel Martinelli
36.22km/h vs Wolves – December 2, 2023
The flying Brazilian forward showcased his skill with a cheeky heel flick against Wolves in December. Just before pulling off the classy move, the winger became Arsenal’s fastest player of the season after latching onto a forward pass.
Martinelli will be looking to shine at this summer’s Copa America after having a somewhat quiet season for the Gunners. His tally of 10 Premier League goal involvements was his lowest in three seasons.
Aston Villa – Moussa Diaby
36.43km/h vs Fulham – February 17, 2024
Moussa Diaby clocked in the fastest top speed of any Villa player when giving Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson a tough time in February.
The blisteringly quick France international will be disappointed by being left out of his country’s squad for this years Euros. However, he can take comfort in having a stellar first campaign in the claret and blue of Aston Villa.
Diaby’s 14 goal involvements were only bettered by Ollie Watkins (32) and Leon Bailey (19).
Moussa Diaby enjoyed a strong return of goal involvements after joining Villa last summer
Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi has risen to the occasion in his second Premier League season
Bournemouth – Illia Zabarnyi
36.61km/h vs Crystal Palace – December 6, 2023
The Ukraine international displayed his impressive recovery pace by registering the fastest top speed by any Cherries player, away at Selhurst Park in December.
The Ukrainian played in a back four which secured Bournemouth’s highest clean-sheet total since returning to the top-flight in 2022.
Brentford – Frank Onyeka
36.11km/h vs Arsenal – March 9, 2024
The Nigerian anchorman played a vital role in snuffing out any danger from Leandro Trossard’s bursting run at the Emirates in March. Onyeka’s defensive nous was on full display in the 23-24 Premier league season. His average of 1.78 interceptions per game ranked him within the top five per cent of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues.
However, as a collective, the Bees will be looking for an improvement on Brentford’s 16th place finish last season, their lowest position in their short Premier League history.
Frank Onyeka’s bursting run away at the Emirates last season saw him become the club’s quickest last season
Jakub Moder (left) had to be quick-thinking to deny Sheffield United from getting a chance
Brighton – Jakub Moder
36.83km/h vs Sheffield United – February 18, 2024
Jakub Moder’s impressive recovery to deny a sure goal-scoring opportunity for Sheffield United back in February earned him the title of being Brighton’s fastest player last season.
The Poland international earned his place for his country at the upcoming European Championship this summer, despite not being involved in any goals in 17 appearances for Brighton last term.
Burnley – Dara O’Shea
36.72km/h vs Crystal Palace – November 4, 2023
Dara O’Shea’s abundance of pace was clear to see against Palace in November of last year. The Irish defender warded away any danger by tracking down and eventually clearing Joachim Andersen’s lofted pass.
O’Shea will be bitterly disappointed with relegation during his first season at Turf Moor. Only four defenders across the entire league contributed more than his seven goal involvements.
Dara O’Shea (left) will have been disappointed to be relegated after a season at Burnley
Mudryk showed off his after-burner pace against Brighton in May (pictured above)
Chelsea – Mykhailo Mudryk
35.71km/h vs Brighton – May 15, 2024
It is no surprise that the rapid Ukrainian made this list. His frightening pace forced Brighton defender Adam Webster into a mistake, which Mudryk almost benefitted from.
The Ukraine international’s form did improve last term, with seven goal involvements in an inconsistent Chelsea attack. With his potential, it seems like there is still lots of room for an improvement.
Crystal Palace – Nathaniel Clyne
34.49km/h vs Brentford – December 30, 2023
This Premier League veteran shows no sign of slowing down after posting the fastest speed of any Palace player back in December. The former Liverpool full-back tracked down Brentford’s Kean Lewis-Potter and managed to distract the winger as he drew back to shoot.
The former England international has often played second fiddle to January transfer window signing Daniel Munoz and will be looking impress Oliver Glasner as he fights to be first-choice right back next season.
Nathaniel Clyne may be one of Palace’s senior figures but still posted the quickest time
Everton’s Amadou Onana (pictured) chased down the title of fastest Toffee this season, after tangling with Diogo Jota
Everton – Amadou Onana
36.65km/h vs Liverpool – October 21, 023
It was the Belgian’s amazing chase down and tackle of Liverpool’s Diogo Jota in October that won him the title of being Everton fastest player of the season. Onana again proved to be one of Everton’s young standout players among the likes of England’s Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner.
His average of 2.24 aerial duels won and 3.06 tackles a game rank him amongst the top 10 per cent of midfielders in that category, proving his forcefulness in the midfield.
Fulham – Harry Wilson
36.22km/h vs Newcastle – April 6, 024
Although the Welshman’s chase for ball ended in vain, all was not lost. Wilson’s race against Newcastle’s Emil Krafth won the former the title of being Fulham’s fastest player.
The 23-24 Premier League season was the ex-Liverpool man’s best to date. With 10 goal involvements, eclipsing his previous high of seven in 2020, Wilson will be looking to build upon last season’s exploits in 24-25.
Harry Wilson’s battle against Newcastle saw him register the quickest time at Fulham
Dominik Szoboszlai (right) was put through his paces against Wolves at Molineux in September
Liverpool – Dominik Szoboszlai
36.76km/h vs Wolves – September 16, 2023
The Hungary skipper’s selfless tracking back away to Wolves in September won him the right to be called Liverpool’s fastest player for the 23-24 Premier League season.
One of the Reds’ main summer signings, Szoboszlai impressed during the first half the season but then a recurring hamstring problem meant he was never really at his best during Liverpool’s run-in.
The former Leipzig man is captaining his nation during the Euros this summer, before getting ready for Liverpool life under Arne Slot next season.
Luton Town – Chiedozie Ogbene
36.94km/h vs Fulham- September 16, 2023
Ogbene’s impressive pace to beat Fulham’s Timothy Castagne to the ball in September made him the Premier League’s second-fastest player and ensured he was Luton’s quickest.
The 27-year-old Ireland International rounded out his first season with four goals and one assist this term but Luton failed to keep their place in the Premier League.
Chiedozie Ogbene may have been relegated with Luton, but individually notched up the second-quickest speed in the Premier League
Erling Haaland managed to outstrip his talented team-mates to claim the quickest run
Manchester City – Erling Haaland
36.32km/h vs Wolves – May 4, 2024
The two-time, back-to-back Golden Boot winner managed to rack up another award. While sprinting to latch onto a pass from Phil Foden against Wolves in May, Haaland registered the fastest speed clocked by a City player last season.
Despite having an injury-hit season, the Norwegian forward still managed to provide 32 goals and assists in 31 Premier League games. Haaland is also on pace to smash Alan Shearer’s 28-year-old record of being the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals.
Although City didn’t manage to secure the Treble or even the Double last season, Haaland’s goals helped clinch a record-breaking fourth consecutive title for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester United – Diogo Dalot
35.46km/h vs Chelsea – December 6, 2023
Diogo Dalot’s innocuous challenge on Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling in December after tracking back earned the Portuguese defender the highest top speed of Man United’s season. In a season of few highs and a lot of lows, Diogo Dalot was arguably United’s best performer.
His five goal involvements were his best return in a Manchester United shirt, while his stats across the board point to him being one of the best fullbacks in Europe last term.
Diogo Dalot was one of Manchester United’s most distinguished players in an uneven season
Anthony Gordon’s blistering season in a Newcastle shirt has helped him win a spot with England in Germany
Newcastle United – Anthony Gordon
36.68km/h vs Burnley – September 30, 2023
As Gordon furiously sprinted toward the Burnley goal in late September, little did he know he had just become Newcastle’s fastest player of the season. Not only was he Newcastle’s speediest player, but alongside forward Isak, you could make a strong case for him being the Magpies’ best.
Only two players accumulated more assists than the England international and the former Evertonian ranks inside the top 10 for goal involvements last season. Gordon will now be focusing on helping end England’s 58-year wait for a major international trophy.
Nottingham Forest – Anthony Elanga
36.90km/h vs Spurs – April 7, 2024
The Sweden international’s rapid burst into space against Spurs in April was enough to claim Forest’s fastest player of the year award.
The former Man United man has enjoyed his best season to date after leaving Old Trafford last summer, with his 14 Goal involvements helping to secure Premier League safety for the Tricky Trees at the end of their relegation-threatened campaign.
Anthony Elanga played a key role in making sure that Nottingham Forest stayed in the top flight
Cameron Archer (left) was a bright spark in a Sheffield United side which struggled in the top division last season
Sheffield United – Cameron Archer
34.70km/h vs Fulham – October 7, 2023
Cameron Archer’s willingness to run the channels is the reason why the former Villa academy graduate is on this list. A tiny bright spot amongst the bleakness, Archer provided five goals and assists in Sheffield United’s dismal season.
Tottenham Hotspur – Micky van de Ven
37.37km/h vs Brentford – January 31, 2024
The Dutch defender’s amazing recovery at home against Brentford in January earned him a spot on this list – and top spot overall. Although he was sidelined for a fair amount of time due to two separate hamstring injuries, the former Wolfsburg man did not disappoint during his first season at Tottenham.
His uncanny pace but more importantly his composure on the ball have been a joy to watch. Despite Spurs’ rocky end to the Premier League season, Van de Ven has not found the transition to English football too difficult. The Spurs defender will now be looking help his nation secure their first silverware in 36 years.
Micky van de Ven has proved one of Spurs’ sharpest summer signings over the campaign’s run
Nayef Aguerd (right) may not have notched up the most minutes, but he made the most of an outing against Burnley in March
Pedro Neto (centre) was able to score at pace to hand him the top spot among his Wolves team-mates
West Ham United – Nayef Aguerd
35.35km/h vs Burnley- March 20, 2024
The Moroccan’s long stride whilst tracking back against Burnley in March meant that Aguerd ended the 23-24 Premier League season as West Ham’s fastest player – despite only featuring in half the league games for the Hammers as Moyes opted to start Dawson and Zouma last season.
West Ham’s defence shipped 74 goals last season, and Aguerd will be looking to impress in pre-season and book a starting place when new Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui takes over.
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Pedro Neto
36.86.km/h vs Luton – September 23, 2023
The tricky Portuguese winger managed to be the only player on this list to score whilst running at break-neck speeds. Neto managed to squeeze past Lockyer, then applied the finishing touch, by striking the ball high into the Luton keeper’s net.
The Wolves man has been beset by injuries woes in the last few seasons, with the 23-24 season the first time Neto played 20 or more league games in three years. Although he’s made only 20 appearances for Wolves this season, he enjoyed his joint best season in terms of goals and assists (11).
