Fastest Premier League players by position 2023-24 | Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, forwards | OneFootball

Who are the fastest Premier League players right now?

In football they say speed kills. So here are the deadliest in each position, using exclusive data requested from Opta.

Fastest Premier League goalkeeper: Robert Sánchez

The role of a goalkeeper naturally limits their movement. They predominantly stay within the penalty area, mostly standing and walking throughout games.

But staying alert is a fundamental trait where one must have to excel in this unique position. Charging towards an opposition attacker, thus limiting their scope and hurrying them into action, can only be effectively done by the quickest of shot-stoppers.

Right now Robert Sánchez, who swapped Brighton for Chelsea last summer, is in a class of his own — despite losing his spot as the Blues’ No.1. His top speed of 35.11km/h is substantially higher than second-best James Trafford (31.84km/h) of Burnley with Everton’s No.1 Jordan Pickford (29.85km/h) in third place so far.

5. Aaron Ramsdale (29.04km/h)

Fastest Premier League defender: Micky van de Ven

One of the highlights of Tottenham’s season has been Micky van de Ven. A summer signing from Wolfsburg, Van de Ven is already incredibly key to the way Tottenham play, so much so that when he isn’t in the team they have struggled. Tottenham have lost five of the 10 games that Van de Ven hasn’t played due to injury, losing just two of his 18 appearances by comparison.

As well as being a top defender, one of Van de Ven’s key attributes is his pace, which helps when Tottenham play a high line as Ange Postecoglou intends. Clocked as the fastest Bundesliga centre-back last season, Van de Ven has topped out at 37.38km/h so far this campaign, taking him to the top of the Premier League for defenders. It has seen him overtake Burnley’s Dara O’Shea, whose top speed of 36.73km/h was previously enough to rule the roost. What’s more, 37.38km/h is the fastest speed recorded in the Premier League since the data started being collected in 2020/21!

Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi completes the top three at 36.60km/h, while last season’s fastest player Kyle Walker has dropped out of the top 10.

2. Dara O’Shea (36.73km/h)

3. Illia Zabarnyi (36.6km/h)

4. Nuno Tavares (35.94km/h)

5. Nelson Semedo (35.9km/h)

Fastest Premier League midfielder: Jakub Moder

Jakub Moder missed all of last season due to an ACL injury and didn’t make his return in the current campaign until November. He’s played just 214 minutes in the Premier League, but that has been enough time for him to stretch his legs.

With just one start and eight substitute appearances in the Premier League, Moder has clocked a top speed of 36.84km/h, faster than any other midfielder. Across the league as a whole, Moder’s top speed is enough to place him in the top four. In midfield, he edges out Dominik Szoboszlai who has recorded a top speed of 36.76km/h for Liverpool. Everton’s Amadou Onana completes the top three with a top speed of 36.65km/h.

2. Dominik Szoboszlai (36.76km/h)

3. Amadou Onana (36.65km/h)

4. Tahith Chong (36.37km/h)

5. Frank Onyeka (36.13km/h)

Fastest Premier League forward: Chiedozie Ogbene

Now this is where the difference is often made. A quick forward is a defender’s nightmare and the league’s most rapid this season is currently Chiedozie Ogbene (36.93km/h). It has him second in the Premier League as a whole, with only Van den Ven (37.38km/h) faster this season.

The Luton and Republic of Ireland man, who has played across the line this season, has been operating more as a wing-back of late but he definitely gets forward when he can. Previously the fastest player of the season, before Van de Ven took the crown, Ogbene did reveal in December that he studies sprinters including Usain Bolt.

“I really like track and field and every now and then I like to put on the old Olympics, the 4x100m relays. I can’t count how many times I’ve watched the London 2012 relay final,” he said.

“Bolt is obviously someone I loved, the way he runs, his mechanics, but obviously I’m not six foot five so I don’t try to hyperextend the way he can. I just love the way he is. He’s like a piston.

“Sprinters advise to run at 90 to 95 per cent, they don’t try to run at 100 per cent. If you get to 100 per cent you stress yourself.

“The 90 per cent rule it’s called. At 90 per cent you’re telling your brain, ‘I’m relaxed, I’m only looking for 90’ and you end up running quicker because your brain is not chasing a goal.”

2. Pedro Neto (36.86km/h)

3. Anthony Gordon (36.68km/h)

4. Luis Diaz (36.42km/h)

5. Moussa Diaby (36.42km/h)

Who are the fastest Premier League players in 2023-24 overall?