Football is an enduringly popular sport around the planet and certainly has a huge following in the UK. This is mainly due to what following the English game offers to fans. The presence of the English Premier League is a good example of this, as are the excitement and goals EPL matches deliver.
But what else makes the Premier League so special? The live games followers enjoy each week are certainly important, as is the presence of some of the game’s top stars. Being home to global football’s most talented players not only helps draw more fans to the EPL but also makes the league a more fascinating place in general.
When it comes to the English Premier League in particular, the presence of the best players also makes it popular. Dominik Szoboszlai’s £60m move to Anfield is a good example of this and he has settled in well at Liverpool since joining. He hit the headlines recently for showing a sharp burst of speed in a recent EPL game — but does this mean he is the fastest player in Premier League history?
Also read: How Teams Negotiate Premier League Survival After Promotion.
Dominik Szoboszlai — is he the EPL’s quickest-ever player?
In a recent game against Wolves, Szoboszlai was recorded as reaching a speed of 36.76 kph when chasing back to help his side defend. This left many people wondering if this made him the fastest player in Premier League history.
Sadly for the player and Liverpool fans, this feat against Wolves did not give him the record. It actually made him the second-quickest player in the EPL record books. Kyle Walker of Manchester City is still in the number spot, having been recorded hitting a speed of 37.3 kph in the past. While this means Walker is still the record holder, it also shows what a great signing Szoboszlai has been for the Reds.
Although Szoboszlai and Walker may hold the top two spots in EPL history in terms of speed, they are not the only players who have pace to burn. This is especially true when you look at the stats collected on fastest player speeds from the 2022/23 season. Some other players who stand out when you look over these figures include:
Brennan Johnson
Although he might now be playing for Tottenham after a widely reported move in the summer of 2023, Brennan Johson shot to fame playing for Nottingham Forest on their return to the EPL in 2022/23. A fleet-footed attacking player, Johnson is known for his movement, speed and goal-scoring threat. With a recorded speed of 36.7 kph last season, he is only just behind Szoboszlai in terms of the quickest-ever EPL players.
Mykhaylo Mudryk
Mykhaylo Mudryk is another big name in the Premier League and clinched a move to Chelsea worth around £62m in January 2023. Operating on the left wing primarily, his close control, direct running and creativity are all important parts of his game. Pace is also something he relies on and a speed of 36.63 kph in 2022/23 shows just how much he has to burn.
Also read: Manchester City Vs Brighton: Premier League 2023/24 Match Preview
Anthony Gordon
Making up the top five quickest Premier League players ever to date is Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon. He was clocked at getting up to 36.53 kph during the last campaign, which shows how swift he is. Gordon is also known for his dribbling, shooting and ability to take a man on.
The pace is not all Szoboszlai has to rely on
As with the other players with a good turn of pace above, Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai has much more to his game than mere speed. His appearances to date for the Reds have shown him to be a player who is not only at home in the English game but also one who has the talent to shine on the world stage.
Szoboszlai’s creativity is certainly something to admire, and he not only has the vision to spot a pass but the skill to pull it off. His versatility in midfield is a major plus for Jurgen Klopp and means he can fill in wherever he is needed. This could be dictating play from deep in the side’s engine room or posing more of an attacking threat further up field. The Hungarian maestro also has a powerful shot in his locker and knows where the goal is.
Dominik Szoboszlai – Second fastest player in EPL history
Although the speed of 36.76 kph he reached in Liverpool’s game against Wolves was impressive, it didn’t quite allow Dominik Szoboszlai to become the quickest player in Premier League record books. Of course, there is no reason to say he won’t move past Kyle Walker at some point in the future and clinch top spot!
