Ranking the five fastest players in the Premier League in 22/23

Pace is often cited as the hardest attribute to defend against and the Premier League is currently home to a number of stars with serious speed.

From forwards with burners to burst behind defenders and wingers with the pace to leave full-backs in their wake, English football’s fastest have caused problems all season.

Here are the five fastest speeds recorded in the Premier League in 2022/23.

5. Darwin Nunez – Liverpool (36.53km/h)

It’s fair to say the jury remains out on Darwin Nunez after an up and down first season at Liverpool, but the forward has become a fan favourite during his debut campaign at Anfield.

The raw attributes are there with the Uruguayan, who Jurgen Klopp called ‘unstoppable’ earlier this season when discussing Nunez’s blend of pace and power. A full pre-season should benefit the 23-year-old, who has taken time to settle but has all the ingredients to torment defences with a little refinement.

A sublime @TrentAA assist to tee up a well-placed volley from @Darwinn99 👌 pic.twitter.com/Izfe4Gjoa5

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 8, 2023

He scored 15 goals in all competitions, but there’s a view from some that the surface has only been scratched. Just four players were clocked at a faster speed than Nunez during the 2022/23 season.

4. Antony Gordon – Everton/Newcastle (36.61km/h)

Anthony Gordon ranks as the fourth fastest player in the Premier League having clocked a top speed of 36.61 km/h during the 2022/23 season. Gordon began the season at Everton, but swapped a relegation battle for a Champions League chase after signing for Newcastle in a £40m January deal.

Things haven’t quite gone to plan for the winger since the move to St James’ Park, but hopes are high that Gordon can develop into a consistent performer for Eddie Howe’s side. The 21-year-old scored his first goal for the club against Chelsea on the Premier League’s final day and will take confidence from that ahead of England u21 duty at this summer’s European Championship.

About time! 😅

Thank you for all your support this year- I’m loving the new song 😄✨ See you in Europe 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/pQxY83wtUx

— AG (@anthonygordon) May 28, 2023

The winger will form part of Lee Carsley’s squad in Georgia and Romania as England look to win the competition for the first time since 1984.

3. Mykhailo Mudryk – Chelsea (36.63km/h)

Mykhailo Mudryk’s blistering speed caught the eye in this season’s Champions League group stage, with the winger’s fleet-footed performances attracting notable transfer interest. Chelsea beat Arsenal in the race to sign Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk in January in a deal that could reach £88.5m with add-ons.

Mudryk made an immediate impression with a lively cameo on debut at Liverpool, exhibiting the lightning pace that Chelsea will hope to harness into an elite attacking option.

A constant threat on debut! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Q1z4ZCxgcf

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 22, 2023

The 22-year-old has struggled with end product and confidence since his high-profile move to Stamford Bridge, but like both Nunez and Gordon has an exciting mix of attributes to develop.

2. Brennan Johnson – Nottingham Forest (36.7km/h)

Nottingham Forest will spend at least another season in the Premier League after Steve Cooper’s side preserved their top-flight status after promotion.

Brennan Johnson was a prominent part of the club’s success during an excellent first season at the elite level, one which saw the Wales international score eight goals and form a fine partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White.

Embed from Getty Images

After winning the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season award during Forest’s promotion campaign, the forward proved he was ready for Premier League level and troubled defences with raw speed. Only one player recorded a faster top speed than the 22-year-old in 2022/23.

1. Kyle Walker – Manchester City (37.31km/h)

Is there any surprise with the number one place on this list?

Kyle Walker remains one of the fastest footballers anywhere in Europe and recorded a Premier League top speed of 37.31 km/h this season, with the Manchester City defender showing few signs of slowing down despite celebrating his 33rd birthday last month.

33-year-old Kyle Walker clocked a higher top speed than any other player in the Premier League this season.

Timeless 😤 pic.twitter.com/DQ7sXGFgJx

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) May 30, 2023

The England international has posed a problem for world football’s finest forwards for several seasons, each in need of a backup plan to navigate Walker whose pace can match – or outpace – even the quickest of opposition.

His duel with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior in the Champions League semi-finals was a fascinating watch, as two of the fastest footballers around went head-to-head.

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