When we think of the quickest footballers, it is usually forwards that spring to mind. The likes of Mo Salah, Kylian Mbappe, or Jamie Vardy would be the players you suspect would top any sort of speed charts, but the reality is often different.
While defenders rarely get the highest speed ratings in FIFA they can be deceptively quick. The quickest player in the Premier League last season was Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who clocked a top speed of 21.95mph.
That mark has already been smashed by a number of players in this campaign, with one Irishman nearing the top of the speed charts.
According to Give Me Sport Shane Long has recorded the second highest speed in the English top flight this season. Surprisingly, Leicester City centre back Caglar Soyuncu has been the quickest player in the league up until this point.
Here are the top six:
6) Allan Saint-Maximin - Newcastle - 22.8mph (36.69kph)
=4) Bjorn Engels - Aston Villa - 22.9mph (36.85kph)
=4) Kyle Walker - Man City - 22.9mph (36.85kph)
3) Phil Foden - Man City - 23.1mph (37.17kph)
2) Shane Long - Southampton - 23.2 mph (37.33kph)
1) Caglar Soyuncu - Leicester City - 23.3mph (37.49kph)
Kyle Walker is known for his pace so it is not a shock to see him on the list. Allan Saint-Maximin has also quickly forged a reputation as speedster in his brief time at Newcastle.
Of course, top speed does not necessarily translate on a consistent basis on the pitch. Being able to maintain a full sprint is more important that your peak speed, which is why of the perceived quickest players in the Premier League may not make this list.
Either way, it's good to see Shane Long doing bits.
