February 18 – Raw speed has long been one of football’s most prized assets – and, increasingly, one that enhances a player’s market value as much as their output on the pitch. Fresh data from the CIES Football Observatory underlines just how decisive top-end pace can be in the modern game, particularly as we the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League.
The headline figure belongs to Anthony Gordon, who clocked a remarkable 37.9 km/h – the fastest recorded speed among players still competing in this season’s tournament.
The winger tops the overall standings in CIES’ 534th Weekly Post, which ranks the 20 quickest players across five positional categories and breaks down the distribution of their movement by speed.
Behind him, pace is still a defining trait across every line of the pitch.
In central defence, Abdukodir Khusanov of Manchester City leads the way at 35.8 km/h, narrowly ahead of Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven. For full-backs, Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain sets the benchmark with 36.4 km/h, followed closely by teammate Nuno Mendes.
In midfield, Archie Gray leads central operators with a top speed of 34.8 km/h, illustrating how explosiveness is no longer confined to attacking roles.
Among centre forwards, Kylian Mbappé unsurprisingly leads as one of the game’s most feared runners, registering 35.7 km/h.
Beyond outright sprinting, the data also sheds light on how players distribute their energy.
Of the 100 players analysed, Mbappé covered 43.5% of his total distance at under 7 km/h (jogging pace) – the highest proportion among centre forwards – followed by Victor Osimhen (41.9%) and Luis Suárez (40.1%) – the latter of which plays for Sporting and is not to be confused with the former FC Barcelona and Liverpool forward of the same name.
The figures highlight how elite attackers often conserve energy before unleashing decisive bursts.
Conversely, the lowest proportion of walking distance was recorded by central midfielders, underlining their constant involvement. Across the ranking, Bodo Glimt’s Häkon Evjen (23.0%), Sporting’s João Simões (24.1%) and Spurs’ Lucas Bergvall (25.2%) spent the least time operating below 7 km/h.
In a transfer market that increasingly values measurable performance data, exceptional athleticism and injury-prevention are quickly becoming as valuable as technique or tactical intelligence.
To see the full data, click here.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1771462049labto1771462049ofdlr1771462049owedi1771462049sni@g1771462049niwe.1771462049yrrah1771462049
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