Kyle Walker has lost his crown as the fastest player in the Premier League to a major rival.
The Manchester City and England star has long been touted as the speediest star in the top-flight of English football. Indeed, he boasted the highest top speed as recently as the 2022/23 season.
Walker clocked up an eye-watering 37.31 km/h during that campaign as City claimed the Premier League title. That put him by far and away the quickest player in the league - former Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson was second at 36.70 km/h.
Unfortunately for Walker, the right-back has been dethroned during the opening weeks of the current season. Data from Opta via the BBC suggests that the 34-year-old has been just the 80th quickest player in the Premier League this term.
His new top speed sits at just 31.4 km/h so far - a noticeable decline. Tottenham ’s Micky van de Ven is now the speediest player in the league with a top speed of 37.1 km/h.
Even more worryingly for Walker, he has also been overtaken by one of his rivals for an England spot. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is considerably quicker than the Man City man - sitting as the 19th fastest player in the league this term with a top speed of 34.7 km/h.
Despite Walker’s drop-off, many have remained full of praise for the City star over the past few seasons. Current Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was among those to have hailed his speed.
“There are also players less explosive from a standing start like Kyle Walker at Manchester City,” he told France Football. “He is like a tank once he hits his speed once he gets into it.”
Former Arsenal star Ian Wright also praised Walker for his pace in City’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid in 2023. Taking to social media, he said: “Kyle Walker is actually getting quicker.”
Walker had previously spoken out a few seasons ago and explained how he was able to retain his electric pace. He said: “I'm 32 but I'm not old, I still feel great, fit, bar the injury with my groin before the World Cup. I've kept myself in good shape, I look after myself off the field.
“I work in the gym. I have to thank my parents and their genetics, some players start to slow down. One of the sports science lads said I hit 37.5mph, I'm not getting any slower.”
Walker then claimed he was still quicker than City hitman and teammate Erling Haaland. He added: “The manager doesn't like to do things over long areas, we both need time to get up to speed. Erling's very quick, some strikers don't create those chances. Some strikers use their strength. I still have to back myself.”