Top 10 Fastest Players in the Premier League 2026
Premier League’s Speed Demons: The Top 10 Fastest Players of 2026
The Premier League showcases some of the fastest athletes on the planet, and this season, Tottenham's Micky Van de Ven leads the pack, hitting a blistering top speed of 37.12 km/h. Close behind are Manchester City's Matheus Nunes at 36.7 km/h and Bryan Mbeumo with 36.6 km/h. Young talents such as Anthony Elanga (35.9 km/h) and Yankuba Minteh (36.4 km/h) also feature prominently, while Erling Haaland (35.74 km/h) remains among the quickest despite a quieter season. This list highlights how speed matters across all roles—from wingers to defenders like van de Ven and Abdukodir Khusanov (36.3 km/h). Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai tops midfielders at 35 km/h.
Understanding Sprint Speed in Football
In football, sprinting is defined by Opta as running at speeds above 25 km/h over a significant distance. Speed gives players the edge—wingers use it to outpace markers, defenders rely on it to catch attackers, and midfielders benefit from quick transitions between attack and defense. Below is the ranked list of the fastest Premier League players for the 2025/26 season.
- Rank: 10, Player: Alejandro Garnacho, Club: Chelsea, Position: Winger, Top Speed: 35.48 km/h
- Rank: 9, Player: Gabriel Martinelli, Club: Arsenal, Position: Winger, Top Speed: 35.57 km/h
- Rank: 8, Player: Erling Haaland, Club: Manchester City, Position: Striker, Top Speed: 35.74 km/h
- Rank: 7, Player: Anthony Elanga, Club: Nottingham Forest, Position: Winger, Top Speed: 35.90 km/h
- Rank: 6, Player: Jermie Frimpong, Club: Liverpool, Position: Wing-back, Top Speed: 36.10 km/h
- Rank: 5, Player: Abdukodir Khusanov, Club: Manchester City, Position: Defender, Top Speed: 36.30 km/h
- Rank: 4, Player: Yankuba Minteh, Club: Brighton & Hove Albion, Position: Winger, Top Speed: 36.40 km/h
- Rank: 3, Player: Bryan Mbeumo, Club: Manchester United, Position: Winger/Forward, Top Speed: 36.60 km/h
- Rank: 2, Player: Matheus Nunes, Club: Manchester City, Position: Midfielder, Top Speed: 36.70 km/h
- Rank: 1, Player: Micky Van de Ven, Club: Tottenham Hotspur, Position: Centre-back, Top Speed: 37.12 km/h
Spotlight on the Fastest Players
Most players on this list are under 25 and hitting their athletic prime. Take Alejandro Garnacho, ranked tenth, who impressed with his rapid counters at Manchester United before moving permanently to Chelsea. Despite limited starts under new management, his 35.48 km/h speed makes him a dangerous substitute threat.
- Top Speed: 35.48 km/h
- Appearances: 24
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 4
Gabriel Martinelli ranks ninth and remains a key Arsenal attacker known for fast runs and sharp shooting. His inconsistency in finishing holds him back from being even more lethal.
- Top Speed: 35.57 km/h
- Appearances: 50
- Goals: 10
- Assists: 5
Erling Haaland might not look like the fastest man, but his powerful bursts at 35.74 km/h make defenders nervous. Though his season was disrupted by injury and poor team form, he scored 30 goals in 43 appearances.
- Top Speed: 35.74 km/h
- Appearances: 43
- Goals: 30
- Assists: 4
Anthony Elanga thrived after leaving Manchester United, showing off his 35.9 km/h pace at Nottingham Forest with 6 goals and 12 assists. Now at Newcastle, his quickness fuels their attack.
- Top Speed: 35.90 km/h
- Appearances: 42
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 12
Jermie Frimpong has made an immediate impact at Liverpool with his speed and stamina, clocking 36.10 km/h and showcasing his attacking runs from wing-back.
- Top Speed: 36.10 km/h
- Appearances: 7
- Goals: 1
Abdukodir Khusanov, a January signing for Manchester City, surprised many with his 36.3 km/h speed and defensive composure despite limited appearances.
- Top Speed: 36.30 km/h
- Appearances: 5
Yankuba Minteh, sold by Newcastle, shined at Brighton with his 36.4 km/h bursts troubling defenders consistently while netting 7 goals and 5 assists.
- Top Speed: 36.42 km/h
- Appearances: 36
- Goals: 7
- Assists: 5
Bryan Mbeumo excelled at Brentford before joining Manchester United, combining power and 36.6 km/h speed to score 19 goals and assist 8 times last season.
- Top Speed: 36.60 km/h
- Appearances: 41
- Goals: 19
- Assists: 8
Matheus Nunes found a new role at Manchester City as a full-back, using his 36.7 km/h pace to cover ground and deliver 10 assists in 38 appearances.
- Top Speed: 36.73 km/h
- Appearances: 38
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 10
Micky Van de Ven is the fastest player in the league and one of the rare centre-backs with explosive pace. He has hit over 37 km/h multiple times, making him a unique asset for Tottenham.
- Top Speed: 37.12 km/h
- Appearances: 22
- Assists: 2
Speed by Position in the Premier League
Speed plays different roles depending on the position. For defenders, it's about keeping up with fast attackers. Midfielders need speed to transition quickly, while forwards rely on it to break away and create chances.
- Matheus Nunes (Manchester City) - 36.7 km/h
- Jermie Frimpong (Liverpool) - 36.1 km/h
- Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) - 35.8 km/h
- Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) - 35 km/h
- Amadou Onana (Aston Villa) - 34.6 km/h
- Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) - 36.6 km/h
- Yankuba Minteh (Brighton & Hove Albion) - 36.4 km/h
- Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) - 36.2 km/h
Common Questions
- Fastest Premier League player? Tottenham’s Micky Van de Ven
- Fastest winger? Bryan Mbeumo
- Fastest full-back? Matheus Nunes
- Fastest goalkeeper? Robert Sanchez
- Fastest striker? Erling Haaland
