To the eye, many would believe that Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is the fastest player in the Premier League, but he is second to Chelsea ’s Antonio Rudiger this season.
The German defender has been in the headlines all season long for the Blues, namely down to his great form and contract situation. The former Roma centre-back’s deal runs out at the end of the season and is not expected to sign an extension despite the Blues’ best wishes.
Wages have been the reported main issue for Rudiger, and top European sides have been closely monitoring his situation in hope that they can recruit one of the best defenders in world football over the past two seasons on a free transfer. Rudiger’s aggression, strength and athleticism has helped him excel at Stamford Bridge, as well as his pace.
According to Opta, the 29-year-old has recorded the highest top speed in the Premier League this season against Brighton. The defender hit a top speed of 36.7km per hour against the Seagulls, a figure that will be hard to beat with the season about to start drawing to a close.
Salah and former Wolves winger Adama Traore share the second spot in the list, with both platers sprinting at 36.6km/h on occasions. Rather surprisingly, in third place is another Reds star, though not Sadio Mane or Diogo Jota as some may expect – it is Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman has showcased that he could be a great talent for the future for the Reds since arriving from RB Leipzig in the summer, and his top speed of 36.2km/h shows that he can compete in a footrace with most attackers in the Premier League. Although he is often backup for Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip as it stands, Konate looks on course for a promising future under Jurgen Klopp.
Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins and Leicester City’s Patson Daka share 4th/5th with sprints of 36km/h. The latter has adjusted well to life in the Premier League but Foxes fans will be expecting to see an improved striker next season once he has a full campaign under his belt.
Of course, plenty of fans will be questioning how players at their respective clubs fit into the leaderboard of fastest players – though the table will certainly change between now and the end of the season. If Salah continues in the impressive form that he has been in all year then it would be no surprise to see him clinch the top spot.
The Egyptian has scored 20 and assisted 10 in 27 appearances for the Reds this season in the Premier League, confirming to many that he is one of the best players in the world currently. But Liverpool fans will be somewhat sceptical of how much longer the former Roma star will remain at Anfield given that his contract expires in 2023 and Salah’s representatives and the club are struggling to reach an agreement on a salary that is equal to his importance at the club.
