Pace is one of the most vital component in today’s game, as matches in top leagues across the world are played at a very high tempo. Mostly we hear of wingers being the players with the most pace as it is their job to run at the opposition defenses. If you just look at the top two players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi you will understand how important speed is to their game. Pace is becoming an integral part of strategies and tactics now a days, it’s never been a secret that pace can’t be taught nor can it be defended against.
Here is our starting XI of the fastest players in the world.
This is the most difficult position to decide as goalkeepers hardly do much running across the pitch but one man who on numerous instances has shown quickness is Joe Hart. Many would remember how he ran the whole length of the pitch in a matter of few seconds during a Manchester derby few years ago. He ran faster than all his teammates and stopped what would surely have been United’s second.
Bellerin made a name for himself last year when he broke Theo Walcott’s long standing 40m dash club record of 4.42 seconds by one-hundredth of a second. Since Bellerin has been successful in cementing his place in the starting XI with some excellent performances from the right back position.
Wynne clocked a time of 10.39 seconds in the 100m as a senior in high school, but unfortunately for the defender he doesn’t have the required skill or defensive stability to ply his trade in Europe. Ironically he plays for the Colorado Rapids.
PSG spent a huge £42 million to get the Brazilian centre back to Paris and till now the investment has paid off. Combined with his solidity at the back and composure, Silva brings a huge amount of speed when PSG are looking to break from the back.
What the Spaniard lacks in his sense of defensive positioning he makes up for with penetrating runs into opposition territory. He is perfect to the way Barcelona play, he keeps making runs ahead of the ball and if by chance opposition team threaten to counter he will gallop back to protect his team.
There are many defenders across Europe who will tell how quick Gareth Bale is down the wings. During the 2010 Champions League match versus Inter Milan, Bale single handedly tormented the Milan defense with his pace especially Maicon.
The Chelsea player might not have the skill or the technique to become one the superstars in football but he has lots of pace in his Armoury. Along with his speed, he has lots of stamina which helps to stretch the game during the final minutes.
Walcott has faced a lot of criticism during career due to his inability to trick past opponents and control the ball but one thing he really exceeds is in just ghosting past Defenders at will. He was the fastest player at Arsenal before his 40m record was broken by Bellerin. He gives Arsenal an added advantage during counter attacks.
Nike didn’t need to create an ad showing Cristiano Ronaldo sprinting faster than a Bugatti Veyron to prove he’s among the quickest players of his generation. The Ballon d’Or winner once ran 96 metres in 10 seconds in a match against Atletico Madrid in 2012.
The striker once covered 30 metres in an incredible 3.7 seconds. This is faster than Usain Bolt ran at the start of his record-breaking 100m race in Berlin 2009. Such blistering pace off the mark is vital in the modern game, but the 185cm Dortmund player also boasts the long-striding style which helps him run past players with ease.
The Aston Villa striker is one of the fastest players in the Premier League at the moment. He is capable of running the 100m sprint in 10.98 seconds. He might not have the skill or finesse of Eden Hazard or Angel Di Maria, but the 28-year-old is the last striker many defenders would want to see hurtling towards them on the break.
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