Lightning-Fast Attack Forces Set to Dominate 2025-26 Premier League

The English game has traditionally been linked to the physical elements of football, dating back to its early kick-and-rush origins.

Even with the significant modern impact of foreign coaches and players, the athletic culture that was revered in 19th-century English educational institutions remains highly important. "Physical prowess" and "athletic ability" are wide-ranging concepts, but they share a key element: pace.

We can all admire the beauty of team coordination on the football field. Smooth passing combinations and intelligent pressing tactics deserve recognition, but nothing compares to the simplification of this increasingly complex sport.

Whether it's a wide player racing down the touchline or a central midfielder breaking through defensive lines during transitions, witnessing footballers sprint at full speed creates excitement and anticipation unlike anything else in the game.

The Premier League remains filled with rapid players throughout all levels, and the Daily Mail has compiled a list of the quickest attacking units in the division for the upcoming 2025–26 campaign, using average maximum speeds from the previous season.

Quickest Premier League Attacking Units for 2025–26 Campaign

Initially, it's important to mention that there are several inconsistencies in the ranking above. For instance, while the Daily Mail featured João Pedro and Anthony Elanga in the average maximum speeds for Chelsea and Newcastle United respectively, they maintained Mohammed Kudus at West Ham United even though the Ghanaian player transferred to Tottenham Hotspur.

Additionally, some of the forwards listed, including Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri, Tottenham's Wilson Odobert and Aston Villa's Donyell Malen had limited involvement in 2024–25. There's considerable speculation for the upcoming season.

According to the average maximum speeds of the three players featured, Manchester City presently enters the new campaign with the quickest attacking force. Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush and Jeremy Doku recorded an average top speed of 22.08 mph, with Haaland ranked as the fifth-quickest attacking player in the Premier League during the previous season.

They're narrowly trailed by counter-attacking specialists Brentford, with Bryan Mbeumo positioned as the second-quickest attacker in the league last season. Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa both featured in the top 30. Their average was merely 0.01 mph slower than City's attacking trio.

The Premier League's quickest attacker is Elanga, who has significantly boosted Newcastle's average maximum speed. With the Swedish player included, the Magpies possess the third-quickest attack in the competition. Elanga will feature alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in Eddie Howe's attacking formation.

Title holders Liverpool feature the ninth-quickest forward line, and their average might decrease further if Luis Díaz transfers to Barcelona this summer. The absence of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho caused a decline in Manchester United's attacking pace, with Matheus Cunha's addition placing them just above Liverpool in eighth position.

At the lower end, Aston Villa unexpectedly possess the fifth-slowest attack (21.31 mph) considering the pace at which they usually threaten opponents during transitions. Adama Traoré's presence couldn't prevent Fulham from occupying 16th position, but Nottingham Forest currently hold the Premier League's slowest attacking unit following Elanga's exit.

Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Jota Silva achieved a combined average top speed of 20.58 mph last season, and Wood wasn't the slowest among the trio. That distinction belongs to Hudson-Odoi.