Fastest Premier League Players 2026/27: Top 10 Ranked

The fastest Premier League players combine acceleration, anticipation and the ability to reach top speed during the pressure of a competitive match. After five rounds of the 2026/27 season, one summer signing has already established a clear advantage at the top of the rankings.

Liverpool winger Bradley Barcola has recorded the highest Premier League speed this season at 35.93km/h. Bryan Mbeumo and Gonzalo Garcia are his closest challengers, while defenders, wingers and centre-forwards all feature inside the top ten.

Below, we rank the fastest Premier League players 2026/27, compare their marks with the competition’s tracked-era record and explain the difference between maximum speed and repeated sprinting.

You can also compare the latest Premier League odds and follow the title race through our Premier League winner odds.

Fastest Premier League players 2026/27

The table below ranks the fastest EPL players 2026/27 by their highest recorded speed during a league match.

Premier League tracking data accurate as of 28 September 2026. Speeds in miles per hour have been converted from the official kilometre-per-hour readings.

Premier League fastest players analysed

1. Bradley Barcola – Liverpool: 35.93km/h

Bradley Barcola produced the fastest Premier League speed of 2026/27 during his Liverpool debut against Ipswich. The France international reached 35.93km/h only six minutes into his first appearance in the competition.

That performance places Barcola at the top of the EPL fastest players list and gives Liverpool an explosive outlet capable of stretching defences vertically.

2. Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United: 35.36km/h

Bryan Mbeumo reached 35.36km/h during Manchester United’s match against Everton. His place near the top is supported by more than one isolated burst, as he also completed 85 sprints across his opening five league appearances.

Mbeumo’s ability to repeat high-intensity runs is particularly valuable when attacking space behind a defence or pressing from the front. His combination of maximum speed and sustained movement makes him one of the league’s most consistently mobile forwards.

3. Gonzalo Garcia – Fulham: 35.34km/h

Gonzalo Garcia registered Fulham’s highest speed during their match against Liverpool, reaching 35.34km/h. Only Barcola and Mbeumo have run faster during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Garcia also made 79 sprints across Fulham’s first five matches, showing that his inclusion is not based solely on one exceptional run. That mobility gives Fulham a centre-forward capable of chasing passes into the channels and applying pressure to defenders in possession. You can compare the leading goalscorers through our Premier League top scorer odds.

4. Robinio Vaz – Hull City: 35.28km/h

Robinio Vaz reached 35.28km/h against Chelsea, placing the Hull City striker fourth among the fastest Premier League players. His speed gives Hull a direct threat capable of turning clearances and passes behind the defence into attacking opportunities.

Vaz is also one of several players experiencing Premier League football for the first time this season. Four of the leading five speed marks belong to newcomers, demonstrating how quickly the league’s summer arrivals have influenced the rankings.

5. Milan van Ewijk – Coventry City: 35.26km/h

Milan van Ewijk is the fastest defender in the early top ten after reaching 35.26km/h against Hull. The Coventry right-back shares the same maximum speed as Chelsea winger Pedro Neto.

Pace is particularly valuable for an attacking full-back because it supports runs in both directions. Van Ewijk can advance to provide width before using his recovery speed when Coventry lose possession.

6. Pedro Neto – Chelsea: 35.26km/h

Pedro Neto matched Van Ewijk’s 35.26km/h mark during Chelsea’s match against Brighton. His acceleration and ability to attack defenders from wide positions have long been important parts of his game.

Neto reached an even higher speed of 36.32km/h during the 2025/26 Premier League season. His ability to accelerate into space can also help him create opportunities for teammates, with the leading creative players covered in our most assists odds.

7. Jacob Murphy – Newcastle United: 35.16km/h

Jacob Murphy recorded a maximum speed of 35.16km/h against Hull, making him the first of two Newcastle players in the current top ten. His willingness to make direct runs provides width and creates crossing opportunities from the right.

Newcastle’s presence in the rankings extends beyond Murphy. Fernandez-Pardo is ninth, while several of the club’s wide players also featured prominently among the fastest runners during the previous campaign.

8. Rayan – Bournemouth: 35.14km/h

Rayan reached 35.14km/h against Manchester City, placing the Bournemouth attacker narrowly behind Murphy. Only 0.14km/h separates fourth from eighth, illustrating how tight the rankings become beneath Barcola’s leading mark.

His pace provides Bournemouth with another option for counter-attacks and transitions. It can be particularly useful against opponents who hold a high defensive line and commit players into advanced positions.

9. Matias Fernandez-Pardo – Newcastle United: 35.13km/h

Matias Fernandez-Pardo recorded Newcastle’s second entry in the top ten by reaching 35.13km/h against Leeds. His mark sits only 0.03km/h behind team-mate Murphy.

Having multiple quick wide players gives Newcastle flexibility when attacking open space or introducing fresh pace from the bench. Their speed can also help the team sustain pressure without relying on one individual runner.

10. Kristoffer Ajer – Brentford: 35.08km/h

Kristoffer Ajer completes the top ten after reaching 35.08km/h against Leeds. At 1.98 metres tall, the Brentford defender demonstrates that elite Premier League pace is not limited to smaller wingers and forwards.

Ajer’s speed is most useful when defending large spaces, covering behind a team-mate or recovering after Brentford’s defensive line has been breached. Van Ewijk and Ajer give defenders two places among the ten quickest players this season.

Fastest recorded Premier League speeds

The Premier League fastest players have reached increasingly high speeds since the current Opta tracking series began in 2020/21. Micky van de Ven holds the record after reaching 37.38km/h against Brentford in January 2024.

Rankings use the Premier League’s current Opta tracking series, which began in 2020/21.

The Premier League published speed figures before the current Opta series, with Leroy Sane setting the earlier benchmark at 35.48km/h in 2017. Jamie Vardy reached 35.44km/h and Kyle Walker recorded 35.42km/h, but changes to the tracking methodology make direct comparisons less reliable.

Top speed versus total sprints

Comparing the Premier League fastest players requires more than looking at one maximum-speed reading. Top speed measures the fastest velocity reached during a run, while sprint totals show how frequently a player makes high-intensity movements. A player can lead one category without appearing near the top of the other.

Bournemouth left-back Adrien Truffert has completed the most Premier League sprints this season, despite not featuring among the ten highest maximum speeds. Mbeumo and Garcia combine a top-three speed with frequent sprinting, underlining the repeated physical effort involved in their roles.

Sprint totals cover the opening five rounds of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

How are Premier League player speeds measured?

Premier League tracking systems follow the movement of players during matches and calculate the maximum velocity reached during a run. This measures speed in a competitive situation rather than through a controlled sprint test.

The readings are expressed in kilometres per hour and can be converted into miles per hour. Barcola’s 35.93km/h mark is equivalent to approximately 22.33mph, while Van de Ven’s tracked-era record of 37.38km/h converts to 23.23mph.

The fastest EPL players 2026/27 rankings use speeds recorded during competitive matches rather than controlled sprint tests. Acceleration, starting position, available space and the length of each run can therefore influence the final reading.

Premier League betting offers and tips

Speed can provide useful context when assessing individual matchups, particularly when a quick attacker faces a high defensive line or a full-back likely to leave space behind. It should be considered alongside finishing, creativity, tactical role and expected playing time rather than used as a standalone betting indicator.

For upcoming matches, follow our latest Premier League accumulator tips. These selections consider recent form, team news and the tactical matchup rather than relying on one physical attribute.

Compare the best football betting sites before choosing an operator, paying attention to market availability, price differences and useful sportsbook features. You can also check the latest betting offers from leading bookmakers.

Some operators provide free bets for new or existing customers. Check the eligible markets, minimum odds, wagering conditions and expiry date before claiming an offer.

Fastest Premier League players FAQs

Who is the EPL fastest player in 2026/27?

Bradley Barcola is the EPL fastest player in 2026/27 after recording a maximum speed of 35.93km/h on his Liverpool debut against Ipswich. Bryan Mbeumo is second at 35.36km/h, narrowly ahead of Fulham striker Gonzalo Garcia. The rankings use official tracking data covering the opening five rounds of league matches.

Who is the fastest Premier League player ever recorded?

Micky van de Ven holds the record under the current Opta tracking system after reaching 37.38km/h for Tottenham against Brentford in January 2024. Kyle Walker is second at 37.31km/h, with Jackson Tchatchoua third at 37.30km/h. Earlier Premier League speed data exists, but changes in tracking methodology prevent a completely direct comparison.

How fast is Bradley Barcola?

Bradley Barcola reached a maximum speed of 35.93km/h, equivalent to approximately 22.33mph, during Liverpool’s match against Ipswich. It is the highest recorded Premier League speed through the opening five rounds of 2026/27. His mark is still 1.45km/h below the tracked-era record established by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven.

How does the Premier League measure player speed?

Premier League tracking technology follows player movement during matches and calculates the highest velocity reached during a run. This differs from a controlled sprint test because players must accelerate while reacting to the ball, opponents and the tactical situation. Maximum-speed readings therefore measure live match velocity rather than determining who would win a straight race.

Is the fastest player also the one who makes the most sprints?

No, maximum speed and sprint frequency measure different physical qualities. Bradley Barcola has recorded the highest velocity this season, while Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert leads the league for total sprints after five rounds. Mbeumo and Garcia rank highly in both areas, combining elite top speed with the ability to make repeated high-intensity runs.