Countdown: The 20 slowest players in the Premier League
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We’re seeing more and more in the modern game how possessing pace can be a huge benefit.
The likes of Marcus Rashford, Sadio Mane and Kyle Walker all use their blistering pace to great effect, but you don’t have to be lightning quick to succeed in the top flight.
Some players move slower than a canal boat but still manage to impact games in a positive sense.
The good folks at OPTA have tracked the top speeds of every outfield player in the top flight who has played in three or more games and they’ve come up with a list of the 20 who registered the lowest top speeds.
Here’s the countdown of the Premier League’s 20 slowest players this year:
20. Ilkay Gundogan - 30.15km/h
New Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was never known for being the quickest player anyway, but the fact he’s just coming back from a serious injury won’t be helping his speed.
19. Leon Britton - 30.13km/h
At 34-years-old, it’s not a huge surprise to see Leon Britton on this list. His game is more about winning the ball back and being neat and tidy than it is about being quick.
18. Memphis Depay - 30.12km/h
Pace is meant to be one of Memphis Depay’s strengths but he’s not had much of a chance to show that so far this year. He seems to be the forgotten man at Old Trafford.
17. Max Gradel - 30.06km/h
Bournemouth’s Max Gradel is also known for adding pace to attacks, but his limited game time and the style of play that the Cherries use might have some part to play in him being on this list.
16. James Ward-Prowse - 29.99km/h
James Ward-Prowse is the first man who’s yet to register a top speed of over 30km/h. He’s known more for his technical ability than for his athleticism so it’s no shock to see him in the top 20.
15. Luis Hernandez - 29.92km/h
Leicester’s Luis Hernandez is another who hasn’t had much game time either.
14. Harry Maguire - 29.91km/h
It’s hard to show blistering pace when you’re a centre-back at Hull! Harry Maguire often finds himself camped in his own area.
13. Santi Cazorla - 29.9km/h
31-year-old Santi Cazorla is another player who uses his guile and technique to be successful, rather than relying on pace.
12. Tom Huddlestone - 29.8km/h
Tom Huddlestone has never been known for his pace and at 29-years-old, he’s not getting any quicker!
11. Mohamed Elneny - 29.86km/h
Mohamed Elneny’s role at Arsenal doesn’t exactly require him to be sprinting about but even so, it’s somewhat of a surprise to see him in the top 20.
10. Andy King - 29.7km/h
We start the top ten with Leicester and Wales star Andy King. King’s game isn’t about pace, thankfully!
9. Craig Gardner - 29.62km/h
Utility man Craig Gardner has been used on both flanks and in the middle of the park this season. Most teams want pace out wide, but Tony Pulis is known for putting more solid players there at times.
8. Hal Robson-Kanu - 29.49kmh
Another West Brom player comes in at number eight. Hal Robson-Kanu has been coming off the bench so the sample size is small but he’s not going to add much pace to Albion’s attack!
7. Gareth Barry - 29.4km/h
Is anyone really surprised to see 35-year-old Gareth Barry on this list? No, thought not!
6. Lucas - 29.37km/h
Lucas’ lack of pace probably explains why Jurgen Klopp has converted him into a centre-back!
5. Olivier Giroud - 29.19km/h
Injuries have stalled Olivier Giroud’s season but at age 30, he’s not getting much quicker! In an Arsenal team full of dynamic, athletic players, the Frenchman might find it tough getting his place back.
4. Shaun Maloney - 28.87km/h
Again, at 35-years-old, it’s no shock to see Shaun Maloney high up on this list.
3. Cesc Fabregas - 28.73km/h
I’m not sure Cesc Fabregas is a slow player. He’s hardly Linford Christie but still, third is high for the Spaniard. A lack of game time is possibly skewing the results slightly.
2. Peter Crouch - 28.58km/h
At 21, Peter Crouch wasn’t quick. At 35, he’s slow, but he can take heart in the fact that there’s a slower player than him in the top flight!
1. Charlie Adam - 26.72km/h
Charlie Adam has been a bit part player for Stoke this year but of all the qualifying players, he’s the slowest. Might explain why he’s not getting a game!