We can all agree that a footballer’s pace is highly important. Speed endurance helps them not only set a vision on the field but helps with the finishing touch. That is why pace is simply one of the key attributes of the game and something the greats such as Messi and Ronaldo possess.
The Premier League is one of the leagues where you can see players such as Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero and Adama Traore display magnificent pace. In recent times we have seen defenders lead the way when it comes to pace. With their ability to run forward and return back in a short amount of time. Does Ecuadorian defender Antonio Valencia come to mind?
A new stat from Opta has shown another defender has topped the list of top ten sprinters in the Premier League. Leicester City’s defender Caglar Soyuncu had a top speed of 37.55km/h during a game against Crystal Palace in November. With Harry Maguire making a move for Manchester United in a transfer record fee as the most expensive defender, the foxes wonder who would fill in Maguire shoes.
The foxes have no need to look any further as the Turkish international came as a complete package thus far this season. His pace has often been compared to former Manchester United defender Valencia. Soyuncu, picked up the quickest speed this season so far after scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win. Soyuncu, showed off his pace while sprinting back from a set-piece after moving forward to set up the ball up for Vardy.
Leicester City players have appeared on the list two more times. With players, Harvey Barnes and Hamza Choudhury recorded speeds of 37.03 and 36.93 km/h respectively. Surprisingly enough, Manchester United’s Anthony Martial was nowhere to be found on the list as he is usually known for his pace. Though Martial seems absent from the list his teammates Daniel James and Fred made the list.
Another notable absentee, are players from Liverpool. Being that Liverpool is currently unbeaten and is in good form this season, one would have expected to see a couple of names from the Reds on the list. The Premier League leaders are just a few weeks away from lifting the Prem title this season. Being that the have managed to break every record along the way, this comes as nothing short of a shocker that they couldn’t break into the top ten sprinters record.
Fastest sprint times in the Premier League this season
1) Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester City) – 37.55 km/h
2) Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) – 37.46 km/h
3) Shane Long (Southampton) – 37.35 km/h
4) Fred (Manchester United) – 37.29 km/h
5) Phil Foden (Manchester City) – 37.12 km/h
6) Harvey Barnes (Leicester City) – 37.03 km/h
7) Kyle Walker (Manchester City) – 36.94 km/h
8) Hamza Choudhury (Leicester City) – 36.93 km/h
9) Bjorn Engels (Aston Villa) – 36.91 km/h
10) Daniel James and Ismaila Sarr (Manchester United and Watford) – 36.90 km/h
