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Modern football is fast and physical, and managers these days like players who offer either one or both these characteristics. The ability to run faster than the opposition defender is a clear advantage, which is why the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp like to use fast players on the wings.
While pace is a necessity, there needs to be quality at the end of the runs as well. Outrunning a defender only to produce a poor cross or shoot wayward will not result to anything.
Here, we take a look at the 10 fastest players in world football right now.
#10 LEROY SANE, BAYERN MUNICH | 35 kmph
One of the best young attackers in world football, Leroy Sane has been touted by many to become one of the very best in his position.
The Schalke academy graduate moved to Manchester City in 2016, where he thrived under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. After four seasons with the club, Sane is back in Germany, with Bayern Munich having paid €45 million for his services.
A strong, fast and technically gifted winger, the 24-year-old has often been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo because of his skill-set. Sane is expected to be a major component of any success that Bayern Munich and Germany enjoy in the future.
#9 KYLE WALKER, MANCHESTER CITY | 35.2 kmph
While Kyle Walker may be slowing down, there is no denying his influence for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
The England international joined Manchester City from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for £45 million, becoming one of the most expensive defenders in world football, and he has not disappointed.
Walker has made the right-back position his own with his marauding performances down the right, keeping out the likes of Danilo and Joao Cancelo away from the first team.
The 30-year-old has improved a lot under Guardiola and has become a better passer with higher tactical awareness. He has also been utilised as the right-sided centre-back in a three man backline by England manager Gareth Southgate.
#8 KARIM BELLARABI, BAYER LEVERKUSEN | 35.2 kmph
A consistent presence for Bayer Leverkusen over the years, Karim Bellarabi has been a faithful servant for the Bundesliga side for some time now.
The winger joined the club from Eintracht Braunschweig in 2011 for €2.5 million, and his dribbling and pace has been a nightmare for opposition defenders. In recent years, the 30-year-old has been used in wing-back positions due to physicality.
The Germany international has been a rotation option at Leverkusen in the last couple of years, often being used as a substitute to cause problems against tired defences. In 17 starts last season in the Bundesliga, Bellarabi scored four goals and provided six assists.
Also Read: Top 10 players to have scored the most penalties in the 21st century
#7 PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG, ARSENAL | 35.5 kmph
Arguably Arsenal's best player this season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a bright spark in what has been a dull season for the Gunners.
The Gabon international is the captain of the north London outfit and has led from the front. Having been bought from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 for £56 million, Aubameyang has been a constant provider of goals ever since joining the club. The 31-year-old has made 109 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, scoring 70 goals.
With just a year left in his contract, the striker has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Barcelona. However, recent rumours have suggested that Arsenal have offered a new contract, which is close to being accepted.
#6 INAKI WILLIAMS, ATHLETIC BILBAO | 35.5 kmph
A product of the famed Athletic Bilbao academy, Inaki Williams is a one-club man, having played only for Athletic Bilbao so far.
A versatile forward who played as a striker as well on the right-wing last season, Williams has been ever-present for Bilbao for some time now. The 26-year-old has made nearly 250 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 58 goals. Williams combines his pace with strong dribbling ability, forming a potent attacking threat for his club.
The Spain international was previously linked with a move away from the club, with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona suggested as potential destinations.
However, Williams signed a nine-year contract with Athletic Bilbao in August 2019.
#5 ERLING HAALAND, BORUSSIA DORTMUND | 36 kmph
Touted by many as a future Ballon d'Or winner, Erling Braut Haaland is regarded as the best young striker in the world right now.
The Norway international joined Borussia Dortmund after a stellar campaign with Red Bull Salzburg in January this year, and he has been in fine form. Haaland made 18 appearances for Dortmund in all competitions in the season gone by, scoring 16 goals. Before that, the 20-year-old had scored 28 goals in 22 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg.
Having rejected Manchester United to join Dortmund in January, it seems unlikely that he will be in Germany for long. While United remain interested, the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City are all keeping an eye on his development.
#4 KYLIAN MBAPPE, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN | 36 kmph
One of the best players in world football right now, Kylian Mbappe's rise to the top has been impressive to watch.
After a breakthrough season with Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain decided to splurge €145 million on the forward, making him one of the most expensive players in football. The France international has enjoyed a stellar stint with PSG so far; he has made 122 appearances in all competitions and scored 90 goals for the club.
The 21-year-old was also instrumental in France's World Cup win in 2018, winning the Best Young Player gong for his performances in the tournament. Already a superstar, Mbappe is well on his way to becoming the best player in the world.
Also Read: 5 players who have won the Premier League, Champions League and the World Cup
#3 ADAMA TRAORE, WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS | 36.2 kmph
A product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Adama Traore has become an absolute terror for defences in the Premier League.
An incredibly strong and fast winger with exceptional dribbling skills, Traore's ability to run through opposition defences has often been used incredibly well by Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The 24-year-old's physicality and pace are such that he has often been used as a wing-back as well.
Having joined from Middlesbrough in 2018 for £18 million, Traore's performances have been so good that he has been linked with a move to Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool over recent months.
#2 ACHRAF HAKIMI, INTER MILAN | 36.3 kmph
When Real Madrid decided to sell Achraf Hakimi to Inter Milan for €40 million a month ago, many eyebrows were raised.
Hakimi had two phenomenal seasons on loan at Borussia Dortmund and was expected to provide competition to Dani Carvajal for the right-back spot. However, that has not been the case. The Morocco international will now play for Antonio Conte's Inter Milan next season.
Capable of playing on both full-back positions as well as on the wings, the 21-year-old combines good passing skill with incredible dribbling ability and good defensive actions. He is expected to become a much better defender under Conte's guidance.
#1 ALPHONSO DAVIES, BAYERN MUNICH | 36.5 kmph
Affectionately nicknamed "Roadrunner" by Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Muller, Alphonso Davies has been a revelation since joining the club.
Bayern Munich paid Vancouver Whitecaps €10 million in 2019 for Davies, who was playing as a winger at that time. After some initial appearances on the wings for Bayern Munich, the Canada international began to start as a left-back and has been hailed as "world-class" in that position by fans and critics alike.
The 19-year-old still makes defensive errors, which he covers with the help of his extraordinary recovery pace, but there is still room for improvement. Having said that, Davies looks like a star in the making for both Bayern Munich and Canada.
Also Read: 5 players who are too good to flop again next season
