The Premier League’s quickest players REVEALED as Bournemouth star clocks up the fastest sprint speed so far this season, with Mohamed Salah and Kyle Walker NOT included in the top ten

• There’s been many talking points from the first few weeks of the Premier League 
• Four games in, we now have a chance to compare who the fastest players are 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

The international break is over and we are gearing up for the return of the Premier League season this weekend. 

During the opening four rounds of the season we’ve witnessed plenty of drama and action, with Manchester City climbing to the top of the standings thanks to a flawless start to the season.

With 39 games having already been played across the league, we’ve also had a good chance to take a look at some of the top talents being showcased in the division this season. 

Two statistics that many professional footballers are often judged by is their speed and endurance. And while there are plenty of lightning quick players in the top flight, thanks to statistics from the Premier League, we now have a definitive view of which players have clocked up the fastest sprint speeds and most kilometers in the league so far during the 2023-24 campaign.  

And it is Bournemouth forward Dominic Solanke who takes the top spot as the player to have recorded the fastest sprint speed in the opening round of fixtures, with the Premier League stating that Solanke clocked up a top speed of 36.10km/h during his side’s 2-0 loss by Tottenham.

The fastest players from the Premier League’s opening round of fixtures have been revealed and Mohamed Salah (left) and Kyle Walker (right) notably have not made the cut, so far

Mail Sport revealed last season that Walker was the Premier League’s fastest player, after clocking 37.98km/h

But so far this season, it is Dominic Solanke who leads the way, with the Bournemouth forward having recorded the single fastest spring in the top flight so far this season 

Interestingly, there are also some notable omissions from the fastest players rankings, with speedsters Kyle Walker and Mohamed Salah, who have both featured in the opening rounds of the competition, not ranking inside the top ten fastest players. 

Walker was one of the fastest players in the division last season alongside Salah, with the duo clocking speeds of 37.98km/h and 36.69km/h respectively. 

This season, they’ve been overtaken by several other stars, with Anthony Gordon locking down second and third place in the rankings, totting up top speeds of 35.67km/h against Man City and 35.63km/h against Aston Villa. 

Gordon has certainly impressed of late, featuring in all of Newcastle’s opening games this season, while also breaking free to find the back of the net during their 2-1 loss to Liverpool at the end of August.

Earlier this summer, Gordon interestingly admitted that he felt he wasn’t fit enough for Eddie Howe’s system upon arriving at St James’ Park stating: ‘I would actually use the word “unfit” when I first came in.

‘I hadn’t trained for a week or so. I just felt the previous games before the move, I didn’t feel up to speed at all. And I got injured soon after joining Newcastle. I never fully got going. The summer has put me in a really good place.’

He is closely followed by powerful Fulham forward Adama Traore who ranks fourth in the standings with a sprint speed of 35.55km/h, recorded during his side’s 2-2 game against Arsenal at the Emirates. 

Interestingly, Manchester United’s newest signing Rasmus Hojlund also makes the top five after having only played 24 minutes of football for his new club, notably missing the opening games of the season with a back injury. 

Hojlund was even lauded as a ‘runner’ by Sky pundit Gary Neville following his debut. 

‘Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t a classic targetman, Martial’s certainly not, Rashford’s not. At least they’ve got someone who looks he’ll mess people around and get his body in there. He’s aggressive, and he’s a runner,’ said the former Man United defender.

‘The thing for him is he’s learning the game still. He’s only played a couple of seasons of top level football and we’re expected him to be Erling Haaland. That’s the problem.’

Anthony Gordon (left) has also been recorded as one of the fastest players so far this season, racking up speeds of over 35km/h on two separate occasions

Interestingly, Manchester United new comer Rasmus Hojlund makes the top five fastest players, despite having only played 24 minutes for his new club, after overcoming a back injury

But what about those players who have ran the most? Well Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski rules the roost for the greatest distance covered in a single match as well as the most distance covered so far this season.  

Having played 354 minutes across all four of Tottenham’s opening league matches, Kulusevski has travelled 47km, notably running 13km during his side’s 2-0 victory against Bournemouth back in August. 

Manchester United’s new captain, Bruno Fernandes seems to be setting an example for his team-mates, and follows Kulusevski for the most distance covered across the opening four match weeks, with 46.84km. 

He is closely followed by Arsenal new boy Declan Rice who’s amassed 46.75km so far this season, with the England midfielder occupying a more advanced position higher up the field compared to the role he was used to at West Ham.

Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure ranks fourth in the standings for total distance covered while Manchester City midfielder Rodri caps off the top five. 

Liverpool new comer Dominik Szoboszlai and Enzo Fernandez have also been impressive this season, showing off their endurance to claim a spot in the top ten. 

Dejan Kulusevski (pictured) has ran the most so far in the Premier League this season, managing 46.84km across his four appearances for Tottenham

Liverpool’s new midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai (right) has also impressed since joining his new club, placing eighth so far in the standings for the most distance covered in the opening four league matches  

Phil Foden (pictured) has also shown he has bags of endurance having placed twice inside the rankings on two separate occasions for the most distance covered in one game

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After an 18 month loan spell in North London, Tottenham handed Kulusevski a permanent contract, and while concerns were raised over his form last season, having to also over come a hamstring injury, the Sweden international has seriously impressed in the opening rounds of the season. 

His impressive work rate is evidenced by his stats, with the 23-year-old leading the way with the most distance covered in a single match, but he’s closely followed by several Manchester City players, which is telling of the work rate of Pep Guardiola’s team. 

Bernardo Silva places second, having ran 12.57km during City’s opening game of the season against Burnley, while Rodri and Phil Foden both clocked up over 12km during City’s 1-0 win vs Newcastle. 

Brighton’s Billy Gilmour occupies fifth place in the standings, helping Brighton defeat Wolves 4-1 during their second game of the Premier League season notably running 12.34km during that match. 

Several other City players occupy the rankings with Foden again making the top ten and Mateo Kovacic also coming in behind Gilmour running 12.23km during their victories against Burnley and Newcastle, respectively. 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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