The slowest players in the Premier League 2025/26 – Ranked

In a league often defined by speed and explosiveness, not every player relies on pace to make an impact. The 2025/26 Premier League season has once again shown that intelligence, positioning and technical quality can outweigh raw athleticism. Opta’s data has revealed the slowest outfield players in the division, focusing only on those who have played significant minutes. Unsurprisingly, the list is dominated by central midfielders, where reading the game is often more important than sprinting. Starting from number 10, here are the slowest players in the Premier League this season.

10. Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) – 30.84 km/h

Adam Wharton may rank as one of the slowest players in the league, but that tells only part of the story. The Crystal Palace midfielder has quickly built a reputation for his composure and intelligence on the ball. His ability to dictate tempo and pick out passes makes him a key figure despite lacking pace. Wharton rarely relies on speed, instead positioning himself cleverly to stay involved in play. It’s no surprise he is already being linked with a future place in England’s national team setup.

9. Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion) – 30.8 km/h

Pascal Groß has never been known for his speed, but he continues to thrive through experience and technical quality. The Brighton midfielder reads the game exceptionally well, allowing him to operate effectively without needing to sprint. His passing range and vision remain crucial to his team’s style of play. Groß often finds himself in the right place simply because he anticipates situations better than most. Ranking ninth here highlights how different attributes can still define success at the top level.

8. Florentino Luís (Burnley) – 30.76 km/h

Florentino Luís offers a calm and controlled presence in midfield, prioritising positioning over pace. The Burnley player excels at breaking up play and maintaining structure in front of the defence. His lack of speed is rarely exposed because of his strong reading of the game. Rather than chasing opponents, he prefers to intercept and disrupt passing lanes. This approach makes him an effective, if not particularly quick, midfielder.

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7. Tomas Souček (West Ham United) – 30.7 km/h

Tomas Souček has built his Premier League reputation on physicality and aerial dominance rather than speed. The West Ham midfielder is a constant threat in both boxes, especially from set-pieces. His role does not demand rapid acceleration, instead focusing on strength and positioning. Souček’s work rate and presence often compensate for his lack of pace. Despite being among the slowest, he remains a vital part of his team’s setup.

6. Freddie Potts (West Ham United) – 30.61 km/h

Freddie Potts finds himself on this list, but his game is not built around speed in any case. The young West Ham midfielder plays a disciplined role, focusing on structure and ball retention. His ability to keep things simple and effective has earned him valuable minutes this season. Potts relies more on awareness than athleticism to influence matches. As he develops, his understanding of the game could become his greatest strength.

5. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) – 30.59 km/h

Bernardo Silva’s inclusion might raise eyebrows given his reputation as one of the league’s most skilful players. However, his game has never depended on outright speed, but rather agility, balance and technique. The Manchester City star is known for his relentless work rate and intelligence in tight spaces. He consistently finds ways to impact games through movement and creativity rather than sprinting power. Even as he enters the later stages of his career, Silva remains an elite performer.

4. Casemiro (Manchester United) – 30.49 km/h

Casemiro continues to prove that experience and positioning can outweigh declining physical attributes. The Manchester United midfielder may have lost some pace, but his understanding of the game remains exceptional. He reads danger early and positions himself to break up attacks before they develop. Casemiro’s leadership and composure are just as valuable as any physical trait. Being fourth on this list does little to diminish his overall influence on the pitch.

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3. Nicolas Domínguez (Nottingham Forest) – 30.28 km/h

Nicolas Domínguez is another midfielder whose strengths lie away from raw speed. The Nottingham Forest player brings energy and discipline to the centre of the park. His role often requires him to maintain structure and support both defence and attack. Domínguez relies on anticipation and positioning rather than chasing down opponents at high speed. Ranking third highlights the physical demands of his role, even without elite pace.

2. Mikel Merino (Arsenal) – 29.84 km/h

Mikel Merino is the second-slowest outfield player in the Premier League this season, but his overall contribution tells a different story. The Arsenal midfielder excels in physical duels, passing and controlling the rhythm of games. His lack of speed is offset by his strength and tactical awareness. Merino often dominates midfield battles through intelligence rather than acceleration. His performances show that effectiveness is not always tied to pace.

1. Will Hughes (Crystal Palace) – 29.54 km/h

Will Hughes takes the unwanted title of the slowest outfield player in the Premier League this season. Despite that, he has played a significant role for Crystal Palace, featuring regularly throughout the campaign. Hughes relies on work rate, positioning and technical ability to stay competitive at this level. His consistency and understanding of the game have made him a trusted option in midfield. Finishing top of this list proves that speed isn’t everything in football.

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