Anthony Gordon has surged to the top of the Premier League speed rankings after a 38.2 km/h peak, overtaking Jackson Tchatchoua and pushing Newcastle team-mate William Osula into the top 10. The list, calculated from the average of each player’s five fastest one‑second sprint speeds (km/h), highlights how elite pace is reshaping attacking threat and defensive tactics across the league.
Anthony Gordon leads Premier League sprint rankings
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United) sits atop the Premier League speed list with an average of 36.10 km/h, boosted by a 38.2 km/h top sprint during Manchester City’s fixture. Jackson Tchatchoua (Wolves) slots in second on 35.78 km/h, while a wave of attackers and full-backs populate the rest of the top 10. Rankings are based on the mean of a player’s five fastest one‑second maximum speeds (km/h), giving a consistent measure of true pace.
Top 10 fastest Premier League players (speeds and context)
1. Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United) — 36.10 km/h
Gordon’s peak sprint at 38.2 km/h underlines his explosive threat in transition. His combination of acceleration and top speed forces opponents to respect Newcastle on the break and opens space for team-mates.
2. Jackson Tchatchoua (Wolves) — 35.78 km/h
Tchatchoua’s raw speed (37.7 km/h recorded in the campaign) makes him a consistent outlet down the flanks. For Wolves, his pace is a genuine tactical asset — useful in quick counters and stretching opposition defences.
3. Pedro Neto (Chelsea) — 35.39 km/h
Neto’s 35.39 km/h average confirms why managers keep experimenting with his position. His speed supports Chelsea’s need for wide threat and off-ball movement, even when role changes disrupt rhythm.
4. Kevin Schade (Brentford) — 35.37 km/h
Schade’s entry into the top ten shows Brentford’s ongoing recruitment premium on athleticism. His pace widens Brentford’s options in transition and wing-play.
5. Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United) — 35.27 km/h
Elanga’s electric speed is unquestioned; the recurring critique is end-product and decision-making when he reaches the byline. Newcastle will want more clinical outcomes from his bursts.
6. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — 35.20 km/h
Haaland’s 35.20 km/h average is a reminder that his threat blends pace with an uncanny finishing profile. Defenders have to account for his ability to outpace backlines and then punish them in the box.
7. Kyle Walker (Burnley) — 34.76 km/h
At 35, Walker remains one of the quickest defenders in the league, with a seasonal top speed touching 36.84 km/h. That kind of longevity in pace is rare and invaluable for Burnley’s defensive shape.
8. William Osula (Newcastle United) — 34.74 km/h
Osula’s inclusion after a scintillating run and finish against Manchester United signals a breakout moment. At his age, that blend of speed and timing suggests high ceilings if Newcastle manage his development carefully.
9. Alex Jiménez (Bournemouth) — 34.65 km/h
Jiménez’s speed complements Bournemouth’s direct moments and counters. For a club with promotion and retention ambitions, players who can accelerate transitions matter more than ever.
10. Benjamin Šeško (Manchester United) — 34.63 km/h
Šeško’s top speed performances underline why United invested in his profile — a forward who can both run in behind and hold a line head-on against Premier League defenders.
Why these speed metrics matter
Speed metrics — averaged top one‑second sprints — offer a reliable measure of repeatable pace rather than a single outlier. That affects selection, tactics and recruitment. Teams that can convert raw speed into structured attacking patterns gain disproportionate returns: quicker counters, more stretch on opposition shape, and improved overloads in wide areas.
Implications for clubs and players
Teams: managers will keep prioritising players who can sustain high-speed outputs across matches, not just one-off sprints. That influences pressing triggers, transition setups and how full-backs are deployed.
Players: for attack-minded athletes like Gordon, Neto and Osula, consistent pace increases tactical value but also raises expectations on decision-making and end-product. For veterans such as Kyle Walker, maintained speed provides a rare competitive edge and influences contract and selection debates.
Transfers and development: clubs tracking these metrics will use them in scouting and youth development. Quick players are attractive, but the conversion — composure, movement intelligence, finishing — determines whether pace becomes decisive.
What to watch next
Clubs will continue to measure and monetise pace, but the truth is in how it’s used. Expect managers to design transitions and pressing systems that exploit leading speed merchants, while opposition coaches will craft containment plans focused on positioning and recovery runs.
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Football365
