With a record number of goals conceded nearly a third of a way through the 2023/24 season, and with just a single win to their name, Sheffield United are on course to become one of the worst sides to ever inhabit the English top-flight.

Eleven games in, a team almost exclusively populated by Championship-standard players have been breached every 33 minutes, responding with a meagre 0.8 goals per 90. 

All season long they’ve been in front for a mere 52 minutes while the sheer volume of shots they’ve faced is astonishing. An average of 19.3 per game has left keeper Wes Foderingham over-worked and then some. 

All told, it’s not exactly looking good for Paul Heckingbottom’s strugglers. Indeed, the sports betting and basic common sense are both in full agreement that the Blades are doomed to drop just five months after securing promotion. 

Worse yet – or more accurately it will be worse in hindsight, once their pain at enduring relegation passes – the Yorkshire club are in grave danger of finding themselves on a decidedly dishonourable honours roll should their plight continue, forever shaming this famous institution that is lucky enough to be blessed with a terrific fan-base. 

The most goals ever conceded in a Premier League season was 100, by Swindon Town in 1993/94. At their current rate, the Blades are set to ship in 104. 

The worst goal difference accumulated by a top-flight collective was -69, embarrassingly accrued by Derby County in 2007/08. The Rams incidentally also picked up the fewest ever number of points (11) as they floundered from August through to May. 

At least on their present trajectory, United will surpass eleven, just. But the Premier League’s all-time worst goal difference is due to be smashed.

Lastly, after conceding 2.8 goals per 90 from their away fixtures to date, the Blades are going to get precariously close to Wigan’s woeful tally of 55 in 2009/10 for most goals conceded on the road. 

Broadening our scope, what is beyond question is that should Sheffield United carry on losing on an almost weekly basis, they will eventually join the discredited ranks of Derby, Sunderland in 2005/06 and themselves in 2020/21 in being widely branded as the Premier League’s worst ever fare. 

Three years ago, after ironically impressing in their previous campaign, the Blades capitulated from the off, finding themselves out-classed each and every weekend, and as the defeats racked up they inevitably and quickly hit rock-bottom. 

The similarities between then and now are sadly uncanny. 

One of the most popular football cliches is that fortunes can improve with a change in personnel in the dug-out, and it is wholly unsurprising that Heckingbottom is among the favourites to be the next Premier League manager to leave his position. 

Yet, whoever comes in will still have to go with a persistently porous defence. They’ll still inherit a forward line that has notched only three goals between them by early November. 

Regrettably for the Blades, miracle workers are few and far between these days.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

After overseeing Manchester United’s worst start to a season for 61 years, Erik Ten Hag’s future reportedly resides on ‘thin ice’, in a story broken by The Times this week. 

News outlets are openly speculating as to who his successor might be, while the Dutchman’s press conferences amount to half-hour interrogations regarding his competency. 

Less than 18 months into a role that has been equated by some to a poisoned chalice, it very much feels like the end-game for the former Ajax coach. The bitter end.

We’re been here before of course, in this departure lounge. Several times over in fact this past decade. We know how to work the coffee machine. We are well-acquainted with the Green Mile stare of the latest United manager waiting for the axe to fall. 

We are acutely aware of how the next few days, and the next few weeks play out and while the more sympathetic among us avert our eyes, pretending there is something fascinating on our shoes, rival fans revel in every detail and every defeat.  

For the sixth time since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson hung up his overcoat, a failed and broken United boss is set to be jettisoned. 

It is an outcome that at this juncture feels inevitable, for all that United have refuted the Times story, and for all that the currently cash-strapped club will struggle to afford Ten Hag’s costly pay-off.

Having lost exactly half of their league games going into tomorrow’s clash at Fulham, the Reds presently have their worst goal difference since 1972 and by every metric are experiencing their worst run of results since 1931. 

They’ve been beaten by Brighton, Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Newcastle at home across all comps, and outclassed by Spurs and Arsenal away. Last week, their neighbours City once again painfully illustrated the vast gulf in coherency and distinction that exists between the sides. 

Yet oddly, it is not the plethora of losses that most starkly shines a light on their shortcomings in Ten Hag’s second season in charge.

The fortunate manner in which they have papered over the cracks with a handful of victories is especially damning, starting with a bizarre VAR call in their favour on the opening day against Wolves after being outplayed throughout. 

A questionable sending off and a highly questionable penalty at home to Nottingham Forest helped to facilitate a comeback from two goals down. Then there was their late, late show against Brentford, followed by Copenhagen missing a last gasp spot-kick in the Champions League.

When your good days are actually bad days averted, you know something is extremely amiss.

All of which has left United seriously trailing in the Premier League top four odds. Indeed, an Opta ‘supercomputer’ estimates they have just a 2.5% chance of making the Champions League places come May.

Will Ten Hag still be at the helm by then? The football betting says no. Our instincts say no. Unless there is a transformative, dramatic reversal in fortunes – and quickly – another new era for the under-performing giants awaits. 

For balance, it should be pointed out that the under-fire gaffer actually has the best win percentage of any United manager since Ferguson, while a respectable third-place finish and a League Cup success last term should count as credit in the bank.

It has hardly helped Ten Hag’s cause either the off-field problems persistently blighting the club, with a mish-mash of a footballing structure above him and detested owners unwilling to sell up, leading to protests regularly occurring on matchdays. 

But when the team is performing so badly then for sure the buck has to stop with him.  

Having consigned Raphael Varane to the bench, it has been the manager’s prerogative to go with a Leicester City tribute act of Harry Maguire and 35-year-old Jonny Evans at the back, their subsequent struggles merely a continuation of systemic issues in defence. 

In an ill-balanced midfield, Casemiro’s legs have gone while Mason Mount – bought at great expense over the summer – has been largely ineffective, due to inhabiting one of the very few positions within the squad where United were already well-stocked. 

Up front meanwhile, Rashford, Hojlund, Antony, Martial and Garnacho have played a combined 2212 minutes of Premier League football going into the Fulham game. They have scored precisely one goal between them. 

Given the steep cost of Hojlund and Antony and the manner in which they are failing to light up Old Trafford, poor recruitment is another stick to beat the Dutchman with, but in all honesty we’re way past that point now anyway.

For Manchester United are deeply entrenched in crisis and Ten Hag’s job is on the line. Those are the only truths that matter ahead of a crucial and defining week. 

Beyond that, it’s just a question of time.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

We are all by now acutely aware of the unprecedented strategies being implemented at Chelsea, post-Roman Abramovich. 

With the American billionaire Todd Boehly at the helm it has become normal practice to place players on seven or eight year contracts, to better navigate Financial Fair Play regulations. 

Furthermore, the club has embarked on an accelerated – not to mention ludicrously expensive – overhaul of an aging squad, selling or releasing a remarkable 14 players this summer alone, all while splurging over a billion pounds on a multitude of new arrivals.

There have been twenty-six signings to be precise, spread over three windows, and not including free transfers. There is also a high turnover of managers to consider too. 

All of which is to say – with some understatement – that since the Boehly-led consortium took control of the West London giants for the sum of £4.25 billion in May 2022, an awful lot has happened in a very quick period of time, with Chelsea now a completely different incarnation to what it recently was.

It has at times been hard to keep up. 

Regarding the contract lengths, and indeed the sheer scale of Chelsea’s expenditure, it is telling that financial analysts who know best about such things consider the model high risk, and likely doomed to fail in the long-term.

And on these matters it is probably wise to bow to their learned judgements.

When we turn to the team itself however, along with the appointment late-May of Mauricio Pochettino, it is possible for us all to make a considered assessment as to how the ambitious project is going. Moreover, to gauge – on the evidence put before us so far – its chances of ultimately succeeding. 

We are, after all, deeply entrenched in autumn so even at this early stage, hints have become clues, some substantial. 

The first of which is a sizable one in importance, that being Chelsea’s fading hopes of securing a Champions League spot come May. 

With so many new players to assimilate into a squad that Pochettino himself is having to adapt to, understandably the Argentine has found it difficult to settle on an ideal starting eleven to date, using 23 different players just ten games in. 

Granted, this is the same number as Arsenal but whereas Mikel Arteta is deploying the full extent of his squad with European commitments to juggle – and crucially while knowing the strengths and character of each and every one of his players – with Pochettino there is a distinct air of trial and error about his selections.

He is trying things out. He is learning about the personnel he has at his disposal and how they respond in a thousand different situations.

Meanwhile, as this experimentation is ongoing Chelsea’s rivals are pulling well clear as the defeats rack up. Presently the Blues’ Premier League top four odds can be described as distant, almost double that of Aston Villa’s.  

They have won just three in ten, enduring their worst start for 15 years. 

It simply cannot be under-estimated how critical it is that Boehly’s model brings in Champions League money sooner rather than later, but looking at the squad what is most striking is how potential has been prioritised over finished articles. 

This again takes us back to the model overall being extremely high risk, as well as just plain baffling in some respects. Chelsea need results now but have wholly invested in the future. 

Cole Palmer, a £45m purchase on transfer deadline day epitomises this contradiction perfectly. 

The 21-year-old has the creative chops and promise to become a superstar one day, and for sure has already shown glimpses of his supreme ability at the Bridge. But Chelsea need a superstar right now, a proven elite talent who can influence proceedings week in, week out, from August through to May.

Just behind the former Manchester City prodigy, we find a midfield packed with brilliant youngsters but therein lies its own problem. Because all they have are brilliant youngsters. 

In years to come it is reasonable to expect Enzo Fernandes competing for the loftiest individual merits, and for Moises Caicedo to boss Premier League centre-circles. 

But is it realistic to think that a midfield roster with an average age of 21.8 years can consistently negotiate the toughest challenges that are thrown up regularly in the Premier League?

Where is the experience? Where is the nous? Frankly, it was sold off last summer.

Yet it is up front where the biggest concerns lie.

Mykhailo Mudryk has flattered to deceive as much as he has impressed. Raheem Sterling’s impact depends on a career rejuvenation, something that cannot be replied upon.

Nicolas Jackson meanwhile has the weight of the world on his young shoulders, and boy is it showing.

From Chelsea’s cornucopia of signings a good manager such as Pochettino should be able to forge a decent side with a clear identity, but he needs a good deal of time to do this. 

And time is something neither he, nor the club, has in spades. 

So is this extraordinary project doomed to fail after all? Frustratingly, they appear to have all the right ingredients to become a major force again, but by throwing too many of them into a mixing bowl all at once we’re in danger of being served up a major mess. 

And in the context of the football betting, their lengthy odds to achieve top four only mirrors their distant chance of lasting the course.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

Rennes vs PSG: Bet Preview

• Rennes to win or draw
• Rennes -1
• Rennes to win and over 2.5 total goals

Rennes vs PSG

Hammered by Newcastle in the north east on Wednesday night, PSG are back in league action on Sunday as they make the trip to face Rennes. As ever, Les Parisiens are Ligue 1 betting favourites for this fixture, despite winning just three of their first seven league fixtures under Luis Enrique.

Rennes are one of two unbeaten teams in the topflight of French football. A draw specialist in the early going, Rennes only recorded their second win of the season last time out, and then fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Villarreal in the Europa League on Thursday.

Following the loss at St James’ Park, Enrique took responsibility for PSG’s defeat, and seemed keen to defend any criticisms of his players.

"I am primarily responsible for the result. The first and last person responsible.

“There was no problem with the attitude of my players. Maybe you saw a different game. The attitude was optimal. The result is fair, but the score is excessive. I'm happy with what the players did, apart from in the last thirty metres. They did what I expected of them…

"We've played two games and we're in second place. It's an interesting group. I congratulate Newcastle, who of course deserved their win, but as I said, the result is a bit excessive and doesn't reflect the difference between the two teams. We need to improve a few things going forward."

It doesn’t get much easier for PSG here, however. Rennes have been their bogey side in recent years, doing the league double over the champions in 2022-23. PSG have won just one of their last five against Les Rouge et Noirs.

With the last few seasons of results in their favour and an impressive unbeaten record to start the season, punters are inevitably going to be tempted by Rennes to avoid defeat, and understandably so. 
 

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Bet on PSG with 888Sport

Fancy PSG to finally get their hands on the Champions League in 2024?

From Champions League outright odds to upcoming Ligue 1 matches, 888Sport have you covered this season. Bet on PSG to win the Champions League with 888Sport.

PSG Club History

PSG haven’t always been favourites in Ligue 1 odds. Founded as recently as 1970, the club from the capital was an ambitious venture from two businessmen.

Upon receiving advice from Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabeu, they crowd-funded to get the club up and running, and it became the first French team ever to have fans contribute to the start-up finances.

The early years were blighted by financial struggle and inconsistent performance on the pitch.

Naturally, a new team in Paris attracted a lot of interest from investors and fans alike, and they became more competitive in the 1980s, ultimately winning their first league title under the leadership of Gerard Houllier in 1985-86.

Difficult seasons followed, however, before the club again became a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s after being bought by TV network Canal+.

Investment into the first-team squad followed, and Les Parisiens finished in the top three in five consecutive seasons in the 90s, including a title win in 1993-94.

It was a glamourous club at this point, with world stars like George Weah and David Ginola lighting up the French capital.

Trophies were accumulated throughout this period, but it was short-lived. Financial strife returned before the turn of the century.

Ronaldinho brought a sprinkling of magic, and a few domestic trophies were won, but PSG were a long way from competing in the league.

Canal+ sold the club in 2006, and it changed hands again five years later with Qatari Sports Investment injecting historic sums into the team.

This sparked a period of unprecedented dominance. PSG won seven out of eight league titles in the 2010s, and continued to throw money at their team, including the world-record signing of Neymar and the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.

PSG Honours List

• Ligue 1 – 1985-86, 1993-94, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23

• Ligue 2 – 1970-71

• Coupe de France – 1981-82, 1982-83, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1997-98, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20, 2020-21

• Coupe de la Ligue – 1994-95, 1997-98, 2007-08, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20

• UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup – 1995-96

• UEFA Intertoto Cup – 2001

PSG Competitions This Season

There is no shortage of PSG options if you’re looking to bet on football.

Luis Enrique's side began their Ligue 1 title defence against Lorient on August 12th.

The most successful team in Coupe de France history, having lifted the trophy 14 times, Galtier will be aiming to take the club to their eighth consecutive Coupe de France final in 2023.

PSG suffered yet another Champions League collapse in 2022-23, but they have another shot at European glory in 2023-24. They will find out their group stage opponents later this month.

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Angelos Postecoglou wasn’t Tottenham’s first choice on belatedly replacing Antonio Conte, but that doesn’t matter now. 

Spurs fans, meanwhile, will be casting dewy glances across at Stamford Bridge, to Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment at Chelsea, and wondering what might have been. Again, that is by the by. 

Because in securing the occasionally mad and often brilliant Australian, the North London giants have finally put an end to four years of stolid, uninspiring football, a period that in reality was relatively short, yet felt like an eternity. And that alone is cause for celebration. 

It began when Pochettino was sacked in November 2019, and club chairman Daniel Levy displayed a brief obsession with recruiting ‘winners’, managers who possessed a ruthlessness that Tottenham supposedly lacked.

So it was that Jose Mourinho was brought in, an elite coach for sure, and one whose C.V. was resplendent with silverware, but it was also true that the Portuguese scowler had sunk as many ships as he had sailed to blue oceans. Indeed, he had form for scuttling them good.

Mourinho took Spurs to a Carabao Cup final but he was gone before the fixture commenced, leaving behind a toxic atmosphere and an overwhelming sense of under-achievement. 

The less said about his successor Nuno Espirito Santo the better, and then came Conte, boasting five league title triumphs inside a decade and a chip on his shoulder the size of Turin. 

Deploying seven defensively-minded players and – like Mourinho – overly reliant on Harry Kane to get them goals and results, Conte sacrificed ambition and any semblance of adventure in order to make his side difficult to break down. Except they weren’t.

Last season, Spurs conceded more times than any other team beyond the bottom six.

Moreover, when assessing these four colourless years naturally we focus on the disappointing league finishes and the cup exits but it’s hard to deny the simple reasoning that winning isn’t everything.

After all, only one team can win the league. Only one, the FA Cup.

What Tottenham fans were also deprived of during this drab hiatus from their norm was entertainment on a weekly basis and pride in their side competing on the front foot.

There was a distinct lack of connection between the supporters and the club’s hierarchy while on the pitch there was very little to compensate for that, only rudimentary fare that exacerbated the disharmony. 

In short, it was grim, with the faithful too often short-changed.

That very conceivably ends now with Postecoglou at the helm, a devout devotee of attacking, attractive football who stations four at the back but typically inverts his full-backs in the manner we’ve become accustomed to seeing at Manchester City. 

Fluidity is key, as evidenced most recently during his highly successful tenure at Celtic that saw the Hoops win five our of six domestic trophies, and if you’re thinking that’s no big shakes, given that Celtic are always strong favourites in the Scottish football betting, remember how far behind they were of arch-rivals Rangers when he took over.

Almost immediately Celtic were a team transformed, with the prolific Kyogo Furuhashi surrounded by a miasma of team-mates, inter-linking, dove-tailing, adhering to a plan that encouraged improvisation and demanded flexibility.

🗣️ “I 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 to win mate, that’s the main thing and I’ve done that wherever I’ve been so the football is designed to bring success.”

Ange Postecoglou says he wants people to associate his Tottenham side with a style that’s exciting and gets people talking about it. 💪 pic.twitter.com/OOTfg9e5cd

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 1, 2023

On one occasion, so ‘Cruyffian’ was their football – Johan Cruyff being Postecoglou’s hero – the opposition manager remarked afterwards that Celtic’s left-back was their most advanced player throughout. 

Always though, no matter the blueprint, no matter the opponent, the philosophy is to attack. 

On being asked once if he was ever willing to compromise on his intrepid mandate, Postecoglou responded by asking if a vegetarian ever relents to eating a Big Mac just because they’re hungry and whether this is meaningful or not, Tottenham now additionally have a manager who gives decent quote.

He is charismatic, passionate, and engaging.

Admittedly, from time to time this passion does spill over, such as his prolonged and fiery on-air bust-up with a TV pundit in 2007 that, in part, led to his departure as the Young Socceroos coach, heading to Greece to start over.

There have been other examples too of ‘Ange’ biting at journalists, snapping at the world.

Postecoglou it can be said does not suffer fools gladly, but crucially, in comparison to two of his predecessors, his fervour comes from a good place.

If you’re fair with him, he’s fair with you and there is none of the pettiness or rancour that was evident from Mourinho and Conte. 

Still, how his no-nonsense demeanour is received by the English press corp remains to be seen but much more importantly right now, what is about to be implemented ahead of 2023/24 suggests we will see a very different Tottenham when the new season begins. 

And what’s the betting that for the first time in four years, the Spurs fans can start to have a little fun.

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• The best football autobiographies give an insight to the sport that isn’t usually available
• Whether Ray Parlour or Andrea Pirlo, there’s a plentiful supply of football books to read
• Read below for the greatest football autobiographies to read

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Ray Parlour: The Romford Pele 

In the 70th minute of the 2002 FA Cup final, Parlour gained possession a good 25 yards from Chelsea’s goal and shaped to shoot. He was surprised at how much space he was afforded. 

By his own later admission, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink was trotting back to the halfway line at the time. Initially concerned, he relaxed when he saw who was about to unleash a speculative effort. 

The Romford Pele promptly pinged one top bins, unquestionably one of the best cup final goals in modern times.

Across a long and trophy-laden career it was common practice to under-estimate Ray Parlour, and this extended to his nickname, that was affectionately meant but ironic. 

Here too he surprises, because even if his life story does include all the laddish anecdotes you expect, it is admirably candid and captivating throughout.  

Andrea Pirlo: I Think Therefore I Play 

L’architetto (‘the architect’) constructs a cracking read, from his days at Brescia right through to lifting the World Cup in Berlin, and by never deviating from being searingly honest, it achieves something that should be a given with autobiographies, but rarely happens.

By the end of its relatively slender 150 pages, you feel like you really know the subject.

And Pirlo is worth knowing, a fascinating individual who intellectualised football, appreciating more than most that when played a certain way, it is an artform. 

Steve Nicol: Five League Titles And A Packet Of Crisps 

The former Liverpool full-back’s tome is a trojan horse in the sense that it has all the tropes you would expect. Pranks are recalled from his playing heyday. Banter is celebrated. Drunkenness is seemingly a state of being for many of his team-mates. 

In fact, it’s amazing to think how this team achieved so much success, short-priced in the football betting in every competition they entered. 

Yet above and beyond the anecdotes, this is a wonderfully evocative study of Eighties football, and more so the era itself.

There is also a poignant retelling of the Hillsborough tragedy that stays with the reader long after the final chapter. 

Paul Lake: I’m Not Really Here 

Technically a biography, but as it’s written by the player’s wife Jo, from countless hours of recorded conversations between them, it can be overlooked.

Emerging as an elegant, immensely gifted footballer in the late-Eighties, ‘Lakey’ was soon tipped for greatness and so highly was he regarded at Manchester City he was handed the captain’s armband aged just 21.

A matter of games into his captaincy however, the midfielder succumbed to a career-ending injury. 

Lake’s unflinching account of the depression that followed, as well as how he was treated as a broken commodity in a sport hardly known for its empathy, leaves a lasting impression. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

What’s the betting the generously-conked Swede believes this to be the greatest book ever written?

The iconic striker’s arrogance imbues every page but that only serves to make moments of crisis, even self-doubt, from a career packed full of incident all the more affecting.

From stealing bicycles in Malmo as a boy to reaching the very zenith of his profession, ‘Ibra’ has one hell of a story tell. Here he tells it in compelling fashion.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Sang Tan / AP Photo*

Juventus vs Torino: Bet Preview

A goalless draw away to Atalanta last weekend wasn’t the worst result for Juventus. With many of their top four foes in European action, the Old Lady might have an opportunity to make up ground. As ever, Juve are a heavy Serie A betting favourite for the Derby della Mole. 

Torino have lost just two of their opening seven matches, but they have claimed only two of the last nine available points. They were on the wrong end of a league double in the Turin rivalry last season. 

Juventus manager Max Allegri was relatively balanced in his assessment of his team after the draw with Atalanta.

“We took a risk, in the end gaining a good point which allows us to remain in the top positions,” said Allegri in his post-match interview via La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“In the first half, we could have been more clinical and calm with the ball at our feet. The boys played a good game, but we weren’t too convincing when it came to scoring goals.

“In two or three situations, we should have finished from 20 or 25 meters. We should have thought about hurting the opposition rather than maintaining possession. We had two opportunities with Fagioli. From those positions, you have to shoot from outside.”

The Italian also briefly looked ahead to the derby, noting the time both teams have to prepare.

“We didn’t lose and the point is important to stay close to the leading pack. Now we have a week to prepare for the Derby.

“Torino aren’t playing in European cups either, so we’ll both have a week to prepare for the match. In the league, they always say who is favourite or not, cups or no cups, we have to stick to the Top Four places, to also grow in self-esteem”.

It’s a fixture Juventus have dominated, and we expect them do the same this weekend. It looks like a home win to nil with Torino scoring just six goals so far.

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Bet on Juventus with 888Sport

Reckon Juventus can return to the top of Serie A in 2024? 

The Old Lady were competing on multiple fronts in the second half of 2022-23, but failed to claim any of the major trophies that were up for grabs - and they were also eliminated from Champions League outright odds.

Juventus Club History

There is no bigger or more successful club than Juventus in Serie A betting odds. Their first league title came in 1905, just eight years after the club was founded, and they have enjoyed numerous periods of dominance since then. 

The club was started by a group of students in 1897, but it took six years for them to don the iconic black-and-white stripe kit, which has been the home attire ever since.

At first, it was an athletics club, and behind Genoa, it is the second-oldest institution of its kind in Italy. 

Their only season competing outside of the top division in Italian football was 2006-07, when the club was relegated to Serie B as part of the punishments for Calciopoli.

First established as a footballing powerhouse with a string of league titles in the 1930s, Juventus were again the predominant force in Italian football during the last three decades of the 20th century.

They won a first European Cup in 1984-85, and added a second 11 years later. Their tally of three UEFA Cup wins is a joint record for an Italian club.

Six players have won the Ballon d’Or while playing for Juventus (Omar Sívori, Paolo Rossi, Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio, Zinedine Zidane, Pavel Nedvěd), and their list of former players features many other all-time greats. 

After Calciopoli, Juventus returned to Serie A and set an array of records, including a streak of nine consecutive league titles. The club is still searching for a third Champions League win, however, after several heart-breaking exits in the 21st century.

Juventus Honours List

• Serie A – 1905, 1925-26, 1930-31, 1931-32, 1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35, 1949-50, 1951-52, 1957-58, 1959-60, 1960-61, 1966-67, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1974-75, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1994-95, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20

• Coppa Italia – 1937-38, 1941-42, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1964-65, 1978-79, 1982-83, 1989-90, 1994-95, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21

• European Cup/Champions League – 1984-85, 1995-96

• UEFA Cup – 1976-77, 1989-90, 1992-93

Juventus Competitions This Season

Juventus began the 2023-24 season competing in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, with restrictions on the club competing in the Europa Conference League this term.

They finished well down the field in Italy’s top flight in 2022-23 and fans will be hoping for a revival in the coming months.

888Sport has you covered for markets to bet on football, including all competitions Juventus are involved in.

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• The Premier League’s lower half teams have the quickest players 

• Seven of the 10 fastest sprint speeds since 2020-21 have been recorded in 2023-24

• Micky van de Ven has recorded the fastest sprint speed in the Premier League this season

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Premier League football has seen some of the sport’s fastest ever players from Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale to Kyle Walker, Ramires and countless others.

Speed alone might not elevate a player into the elite, but it is certainly a useful asset regardless of a player’s position.

Often, we associate wide positions with being home to those fleetest of foot. While this is sometimes the case, there is pace to be found elsewhere, with central defenders and strikers often posting sprint speed marks. 

Here are the 10 fastest players in Premier League odds in 2023-24… 

Mykhailo Mudryk

Signing Mykhailo Mudryk hasn’t elevated Chelsea in Premier League odds outright like Todd Boehly would have hoped. Mudryk is nearing 12 months at Stamford Bridge and has yet to make a meaningful impact.

His greatest impression thus far has been his exceptional pace. While the end product is still a work in progress, the Ukrainian has been capable of leaving almost any defender behind.

It gives Chelsea something to work with in the coming months, even if they are a long way off title contention in Mauricio Pochettino’s first season at the helm.

Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa landed Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for a reported fee of £51 million. Diaby was instantly one of the Premier League’s fastest players upon his arrival.

The Frenchman clocked 42 goal involvements over his final two seasons in the Bundesliga – only time will tell if he can replicate that production in the Premier League.

The move to Villa Park represents a reunion with Unai Emery, who managed Diaby for a brief spell at PSG. Comfortable down the middle or out wide, it will be interesting to see which role Diaby settles in to with the Villains. 

Anthony Elanga 

After just five Premier League starts for Manchester United in 2022-23, Anthony Elanga swapped Old Trafford for the City Ground in the summer window.

Still only 21 years old, the Malmo native has immense potential, and Nottingham Forest could have landed a bargain for a reported fee of £10 million.

Elanga is in line for plenty of minutes after Brennan Johnson departed for Tottenham. His pace is going to be a real asset for a Forest team often forced to defend for long periods. 

Ameen Al Dakhil

Ameen Al Dakhil signed for Burnley in January 2023, and has shot to the top of the Premier League sprint speed charts.

Al Dakhil is the only defender to make this top 10 after posting a 34.97 kilometres per hour sprint speed in Burnley’s loss to Manchester City.

The Clarets picked up the Belgium international from Sint-Truiden, and he went on to make seven starts for the club as they cruised to promotion. 

Alejandro Garnacho

The 2023-24 season could be when Alejandro Garnacho establishes himself as a first-team regular at Manchester United. Garnacho’s quick-footedness and bag of tricks have demonstrated his potential.

Born in 2004, time is on his side. United might be lured in by big-money signings elsewhere, but they could have a real gem on their hands in Garnacho.

He’s already debuted for Argentina, and will surely make 10+ Premier League starts this term if he can stay fit. 

Adama Traore

Long renowned for being one of the fastest football players in the world, Adama Traore still ranks among the Premier League’s top speedsters.

Traore joined Fulham on a free in the 2023 summer window, taking his tally of Premier League clubs to four.

While Traore’s combination of strength, speed and dribbling ability make him an entertaining player for neutrals, he is still yet to combine that with reliable end product.

His highest expected goals and expected assists per 90 combined in a league season is 0.37. 

Rasmus Højlund

After seeing Erling Haaland establish himself as one of the greatest Premier League strikers, Manchester United decided to pick up their own Scandinavian phenom in Rasmus Højlund.

It didn’t take long for Højlund to post one of the top Premier League sprint speeds in 2023-24, with the Norwegian proving to be an immediate threat off the bench for the Red Devils. 

The Old Trafford faithful will be hoping Højlund can build on his 11 goal involvements in 20.4 Serie A 90s for Atalanta last season.

Dominic Solanke 

Dominic Solanke posted the fastest sprint speed in the Premier League before the first international break. Who expected to see this name on this list? 

Solanke might not have lived up to the lofty expectations when he was in the Chelsea academy, and then at Liverpool, but he has proven to be a useful Premier League striker.

His 13 non-penalty expected goals and expected assists in 2022-23 ranked 26th among Premier League players, and was the highest tally of any player from a team in the relegation battle.

Amadou Onana

It's not often central midfielders break into the top sprint speeds. Everton midfielder Amadou Onana bucked that trend in the Merseyside derby earlier this season, getting up to a top speed of 36.65 kp/h.

An excellent ball winner, Onana is above-average among central midfielders for expected assists and tackles over the last 365 days. 

With Everton's financial troubles, don't be surprised if some of the league's richest clubs pursue Onana this summer. 

Anthony Gordon

You’ve got to have some serious pace to give Kyle Walker a race. Anthony Gordon did just that at the Etihad in the opening weeks of 2023-24. He then bettered that sprint speed against Burnley at the end of September. 

Gordon was limited to a bit-part role after joining Newcastle in January, but will be hoping to get more minutes this season with Eddie Howe having to manage his squad through the rigours of Champions League commitments.

While he’s yet to post any particularly eye-catching numbers, the Geordie faithful will hope Gordon can unlock his potential having got away from a dysfunctional Everton team.

Dara O'Shea

Facing Crystal Palace in November, Burnley central defender Dara O'Shea posted one of the fastest Premier League sprint speeds of all-time. It has been a challenging season for the Clarets, but O'Shea has been a regular in the backline after arriving from West Brom last summer.

Centre backs aren't often renowned for their speed. The need for recovery runs and last-ditch tackles means they are often forced to sprint in a way that other players are not. O'Shea and his colleagues in the Burnley defence have certainly had plenty of work to do this term. 

Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai's class has been evident from the minute he arrived at Anfield. The Hungarian has fulfilled different roles for Jurgen Klopp, and his statistics are exceptional across the board. 

Pace wasn't one of his biggest strengths on the scouting report, but that didn't stop Szoboszlai putting in a 36.76 kp/h top speed earlier this season. At the time, it was the second-fastest sprint speed of the campaign. 

Pedro Neto

Direct, quick and with excellent close control, Pedro Neto is a consistent outlet for Wolves down the flank.

Neto has posted some of the league’s highest sprint speeds in recent years, making him just as much of a threat off-ball as he is when he can size up the opposing full-back. His 36.86 kp/h against Luton in September is the third-fastest sprint speed in 2023-24. 

Wolves have seen some long-time starters depart over the last couple of years, but Neto looks set to be a key player at Molineux for years to come.

The question, perhaps, is whether one of the top clubs swoops if he has a productive 2023-24 season. 

Chiedozie Ogbene

Luton winger Chiedozie Ogbene has four goals to his name at the time of writing. His pace has been an important part of Luton's attack throughout 2023-24, and his role is going to be significant if the minnows manage to stay in the Premier League.

It was against Fulham in September that Ogbene set the second-fastest sprint speed of the Premier League season, according to the official Premier League website. 

Micky van de Ven

When facing Brentford in January 2024, Micky van de Ven set the fastest Premier League sprint speed since data was first collected in 2020-21. The Dutchman set a scorching top speed for Wolfsburg last season, and has gone even quicker for Tottenham.

Playing in the centre of defence for Tottenham, van de Ven's mobility has been vital in Ange Postecoglou's ultra-high-line. 

As Spurs continue their rebuild under Postecoglou, look for van de Ven to be on the receiving end of plenty of praise. 

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

• The Bundesliga is home to some of the fastest players in world football

• Jeremiah St Juste was the Bundesliga’s quickest player in 2022

• Read below for a complete list of the fastest Bundesliga players right now

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Of Europe’s top five leagues, the Bundesliga is the closest match to the Premier League’s style of play.

Physical and played at a high pace, German football has numerous speedsters at its topflight clubs.

These Bundesliga betting stars can impact a game in numerous ways, whether orchestrating rapid attacking transitions or covering for the errors of teammates. 

Here are the fastest players in the Bundesliga according to various online sources…

Fastest Bundesliga Players 2023:

Braydon Manu

A winger for Darmstadt, Braydon Manu isn’t the biggest name on this list. Manu is playing in the Bundesliga for the first time in his career following Darmstadt’s promotion.

In 2022-23, he recorded 14 goal involvements in the second tier, putting his pace to good use whether used as a forward or right winger.

In the first few weeks of 2023-24, Manu has been in and out of the starting line up and used in different roles.  

Takuma Asano

A star of the 2022 World Cup with his late winner against Germany, Takuma Asano was rumoured as a target for bigger clubs around Europe after his showing in Qatar, but he remains with Bochum for the 2023-24 season.

The Japanese international has played for Bochum since 2019, scoring 10 times in 62 appearances.

His pace was a threat throughout the World Cup, particularly against tiring defences. He’s yet to reach those dizzy heights at club level, however, with relatively mediocre numbers across the board. 

Justin Njinmah

After spending 2022-23 on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Justin Njinmah has already matched his total for Bundesliga minutes in 2023-24.

It took only two appearances for the 22-year-old to receive 22 minutes of game time on his return to Werder Bremen, where he made his first senior appearance back in January 2022. 

Njinmah scored 18 times for Dortmund II last season, earning one of the Bundesliga’s highest pace ratings for the 2023-24 campaign.

It will be fascinating to see what kind of role he is given for Bremen, who finished just three points above the bottom three last season. 

Timo Werner

The days of being among the football betting favourites for the Kicker-Torjägerkanone are in the distant past.

Timo Werner has scored 19 goals across his last three league seasons, after netting 28 for RB Leipzig in 2019-20. 

The Germany international remains among the world’s fastest players, however, with his pace a constant factor for Leipzig. Even when he’s not been scoring, he’s a threat for opposing defences. 

The 2022-23 season saw a slight improvement for Werner, with his finishing improving considerably after massively underperforming at Chelsea. Leipzig will be hoping he can keep that up in 2023-24. 

Leroy Sane

One of the fastest players in world football for the best part of a decade, Leroy Sane has completed a threepeat since signing for Bayern Munich in 2020.

He’s lived up to expectations since returning to the Bundesliga, registering 44 goal involvements through three full campaigns.

The arrival of Harry Kane doesn’t seem to have impacted Sane’s minutes. If anything, Kane’s presence should make Sane’s life easier, and we could see a career-high in goal involvements if the former Manchester City man can stay fit all season. 

Lois Openda

A man in demand first with Club Brugge and then with Lens, Loïs Openda sealed his big money move in the summer of 2023, moving to RB Leipzig for around £40 million.

Openda is immediately one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga, and will be a player to keep an eye on throughout his maiden season in German football. 

With 45 goal involvements over his last two league seasons, Leipzig will be hoping Openda can fire them towards the top of the table after losing Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea. 

Sheraldo Becker

Suriname international Sheraldo Becker has been with Union Berlin since 2019.

Since arriving from ADO Den Haag, Becker has seen Union transform from Bundesliga also-ran to a team with back-to-back top-five finishes. 

Becker was integral in Union’s strong start to 2022-23, picking up Player of the Month after scoring four goals and notching a pair of assists in August.

Union maintained that pace, which Becker had helped, set on their way to an historic Champions League qualification. 

Jeremie Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong moved to Bayer Leverkusen from Celtic in 2019.

Only a squad player initially, Frimpong’s role has grown during his time with Leverkusen, leading to 32 starts in the Bundesliga in 2022-23.

Used anywhere from right-back to right winger, Frimpong has been integral for the club since Xabi Alonso took over.

His elite speed is matched by supreme dribbling ability, which makes him a threat down the right flank whether providing an overlap or going one-on-one with the opposing full-back. 

Alphonso Davies

Could Alphonso Davies work his way into the all-time Bundesliga starting XI? It’s a big ask, but the Canadian phenom certainly has a chance. 

A regular starter for Bayern as a teenager, Davies only turns 23 part way through the 2023-24 Bundesliga season.

He’s already been named to the FIFPro World XI, and won five Bundesliga titles and a Champions League, with more hardware being inevitable providing he can stay fit. 

There are few, if any, comparisons to Davies in world football. Like other great full backs before him, he’s a player that will be remembered fondly for years to come. 

Karim Adeyemi

Former Salzburg striker Karim Adeyemi made the move to join Borussia Dortmund before the 2022-23 season.

Injuries disrupted his first season with the Black and Yellows, leading to just 11 goal involvements across 15.4 nineties, but expectations remain high for the youngster.

According to EA Sports’ latest release, Adeyemi is the quickest player in the Bundesliga in 2023-24. Anyone who has watched him in action will find it hard to argue.

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Fastest Bundesliga Players 2022:

Noah Sarenren Bazee – 35.90 km/h

Noah Sarenren Bazee made just one Bundesliga start in 2021-22, but that was still enough to earn a spot in the top 10 Bundesliga sprint speeds.

The Augsburg winger scored his lone goal of the campaign against Borussia Dortmund in March.

Eligible to represent Germany and Nigeria, Sarenren Bazee was named in the Nigerian squad to face Senegal and Burkina Faso back in 2017 but he’s yet to make his international debut.

Emre Can – 35.96 km/h

Not renowned for his agility or acceleration, Emre Can still ranks well when it comes to top speed.

The former Liverpool man was used across the defence and in a couple of different midfield roles in 2021-22 and he was occasionally able to really stretch his legs and show the pace he’s got.

The signings of Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck mean we will see far less of Can in a central defensive role in 2022-23.

There have been occasional rumours that he could depart Dortmund in 2022 summer window, though there’s likely still a squad role there for him given his versatility.

Lukas Klostermann – 35.97 km/h

Germany international Lukas Klostermann is one of the more mobile defenders in European football at the moment.

Klostermann has the foot speed to be effective at right back or at the heart of the defence. It’s a profile which works perfectly in a high defensive line, and he’s a difficult defender to take on.

Klostermann’s athletic heritage has been well covered – he’s from a sporting family, and spent his formative years competing in track and field as well as on the football field.

His speed is what caught the eye of scouts at a young age, but it didn’t take long for clubs to become aware that Klostermann had the football ability to match his quickness.

If Leipzig are to cause a Bundesliga predictions upset next season and topple Bayern, they will need Klostermann to be at his best.

Moussa Diaby – 35.99 km/h

Coming off a stellar 13-goal, 12-assist campaign with Bayer Leverkusen, Moussa Diaby is a man in demand this summer.

The Frenchman has been extensively linked with a move to nouveau riche Newcastle, and at just 22 years old, he’s an enthralling prospect. He’s already shown he can deliver in one of the best leagues in Europe.

Diaby’s electric speed is the first thing that stands out. He can burn past opposing defenders at will, and he’s got the technical ability to utilise that pace in possession, too.

Effective from either flank or occasionally in a central role, Diaby will terrorise Premier League defences if he gets his move.

Jeremie Frimpong – 36.07 km/h

Former Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong joined Bayer Leverkusen in January 2021.

He played a major role for the club in 2021-22, appearing in 25 Bundesliga matches as the club secured a top four berth.

Eligible for Ghana, the Netherlands and England on the international stage, Frimpong has represented the Oranje at multiple age group levels, though is yet to make his under-21 debut.

Bryan Lasme – 36.08 km/h

Young winger Bryan Lasme made just seven starts for relegated Arminia Bielefeld in 2021-22.

Lasme was a popular substitute for the Die Blauen, however, coming off the bench 16 times. He scored twice in the campaign, but was largely ineffective following his move from Sochaux in 2021.

With Arminia Bielefeld heading to the second tier, this a summer of uncertainty for many of their players, including Lasme.

Alphonso Davies – 36.37 km/h

Injury limited Alphonso Davies to just 20 Bundesliga starts last term. It is still no surprise to see the Canadian phenomenon on this list of the fastest players in the Bundesliga.

Nicknamed ‘Road Runner’, Davies transitioned from a forward on the other side of the Atlantic to a marauding left-back with Bayern Munich.

Only a handful of players in world football can keep up with Davies. He’s an intimidating sight for opposing full backs when making those flying runs down the flank.

Davies is bound to be a favourite in the Bundesliga for years to come with his goal contributions from defence.

Kevin Schade – 36.37 km/h

Freiburg had a good 2021-22 campaign. Kevin Schade might not have grabbed the headlines, but he had a role to play in their success, earning seven starts and regularly being used as a substitute.

Almost exclusively operating from the right-hand side, Schade’s pace was a nuisance for defences late in games, and in his short senior career he has made an impression with his work rate and finishing ability.

He’s scoring 0.43 non-penalty goals per 90 over the last 365 days.

Sheraldo Becker – 36.39 km/h

A 22-game starter for Union Berlin in a remarkable campaign where they finished fifth, Sheraldo Becker found the net four times and registered six assists.

He’s most often been used down the middle, with his pace proving a nightmare to defend against on the counter.

Becker’s highlight of the campaign was a goal and assist in the penultimate match of the season against Union’s close rivals, Freiburg.

Jeremiah St Juste – 36.63 km/h

A favourite on FIFA 22 when the game was released, Jeremiah St Juste was officially the Bundesliga’s fastest player in the 2021-22 season.

Injury setbacks held him to just eight league appearances, but that wasn’t enough to put teams off.

Sporting fought off interest from Premier League clubs as well as Borussia Dortmund to secure St Juste’s signature – he will join the Portuguese club for the 2022-23 campaign.

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• Felix Afena-Gyan measured as the fastest player in Serie A

• While Italian football is often played at a slower pace, there’s no shortage of speedsters in the top flight

• Read below for the 10 fastest players in Serie A

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There are some who dare claim that Serie A is played at a leisurely pace, a Premier League or La Liga at half-speed. 

Clearly such detractors of the Italian game have not witnessed these ten speed-merchants, haring past opponents as if they’re not there. 

Fastest Serie A Players (2023/24)

• Marcus Holmgren Pedersen

• Gerard Deulofeu

• Victor Osimhen

• Festy Ebosele

• Noah Okafor

• Leonardo Spinazzola

• Federico Chiesa

• Manuel Lazzari

• Theo Hernandez

• Rafael Leao

Made up of four full-backs, three wingers and three strikers, here are the fastest players in Serie A according to EA FC 24. Blink and you’ll miss them.

Marcus Holmgren Pedersen

Having signed for Sassuolo on loan from Feyenoord with an option to buy, Marcus Holmgren Pedersen immediately places among the fastest players in Serie A for 2023-24.

Pedersen has 19 caps for Norway and was part of the Feyenoord team which finished runners up in the 2022-23 Europa Conference League.

He ranks in the 99th percentile among full backs in progressive carries, and in the 87th percentile in progressive passes received. 

Gerard Deulofeu

Former Watford man Gerard Deulofeu has not played a single minute of 2023/24, sidelined with a serious knee injury, but a contract extension recently signed demonstrates how highly Udinese regard him. 

Having turned 30 this March the hope is that we will once again see him scamper down the flanks, cutting in to great effect, perhaps even evoking his vintage campaign of two years back, when he fired in 13 goals and carved out five assists. 

Victor Osimhen

It felt nailed-on in the betting that Osimhen would move to the Premier League last summer, with Chelsea readied to make a hefty bid, only then he didn’t, meaning the current Serie A Footballer of the Year has stayed in Naples, attempting to replicate a quite astonishing title triumph.

With Napoli well off the pace this time out, and the striker’s season interrupted by injury and a full stint at AFCON, that has regrettably not been possible but there has still been stand-out moments for the player voted eighth at the most recent Ballon d’Or awards. 

A hat-trick in February meant the lightning-quick forward became only the third Napoli star to ever reach double figures for four seasons running in the Italian top-flight.

Festy Ebosele

The second Udinese player on this list, Festy Ebosele signed for the Little Zebras from Derby County in 2022, a move that raised an eyebrow or two. 

Two years on and those brows have now come down, the Irish international establishing himself as a regular presence down the right.

Still developing, still improving, Ebosele has the pace to get out of trouble and the footballing intelligence to rarely be troubled in the first place. 

A propensity to pick up a cheap yellow does not do him any favours though.

Noah Okafor

An impudent Champions League goal for Red Bull Salzburg against Milan in 2022 gained the attention of a lot of clubs, no more so than the Rossoneri who wondered if the Swiss international could do likewise for them. 

Alas, getting the opportunity to pull off something spectacular has been kept to a minimum for the 23-year-old, with the Italian giants well-stocked for attacking options. 

Favourites as they are in the Serie A odds to win a second Scudetto in three years, that’s not likely to change anytime soon either.

Regardless, five goals this term from mainly cameos bodes well for the future. 

Leonardo Spinazzola

Comfortable on either flank and with pace to burn, Leonardo Spinazzola is a lot of fun to watch. It’s no surprise he has cited Gianluca Zambrotta as a major influence in his footballing development.

The wrong side of 30, however, the Roma flyer may not be appearing on lists such as this for too much longer.

Still, he’s far more than a track runner out on the wings, with exceptional dribbling skills and a reliable end product making him an effective chance creator. 

Federico Chiesa

A prolific start to 2023/24 saw the winger featuring in the football betting as a Golden Boot contender but sadly it proved to be a false dawn and not for the first time, a player once touted as a future Ballon d’Or winner has seen a campaign give way to injury frustrations.

Worse yet, for the second season running Max Allegri believes he has better options elsewhere and a failure to make much of an impact off the bench has left Chiesa firmly on the periphery. 

At least his Euro spot for Italy looks assured, with Azzurri boss Luciano Spalletti a fan.

Manuel Lazzari

Into his fifth season at Lazio, Manuel Lazzari’s versatility makes him a useful asset down the right-hand side.

Once again in 2023/24 he has been a solid performer for the club from the capital, even if he is seldom considered when talk turns to Serie A’s best wide men.

Lazzari has made three appearances for Italy, debuting in 2018 but subsequently others have surpassed him in the international pecking order. Now 30, it seems unlikely he will get another chance for the national team. 

Theo Hernandez

Still only 26 years old, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Theo Hernandez plays his way into the all-time Serie A top scorers.

The Frenchman has thrice been named to the Serie A Team of the Year and looks set to excel at the highest level for a long time yet.

Hernandez is more than a sprinter down Milan’s left, but it certainly helps him to impact the game at both ends of the pitch. Offensively, his overlapping runs are a nightmare for opponents to track.

Defensively, very few wingers are going to get the better of him in a foot race.

Rafael Leao

Top spot on this list goes to another Milan player in Portuguese star Rafael Leao.

Heavily linked last summer with a move to Chelsea, Leao has accrued 59 goal involvements since finding his feet in Serie A in 2021/22.

Standing at 6’2, Leao’s combination of pace, size and dribbling ability makes him a menace for full backs.

He’s capable of beating defenders in numerous ways and has often proved to be a valuable outlet for the Rossoneri. It seems like a matter of time until one of Europe’s financial powerhouses signs him.

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Fastest Serie A Players In 2022/23:

Gerard Deulofeu

La Masia graduate Gerard Deulofeu has long held a reputation for being one of European football’s true speedsters.

Deulofeu has had a couple of stints in Serie A, playing for Milan on loan in 2017 before joining Udinese in 2020 (at first on loan, then permanently a few months later).

Primarily utilised in a central forward position, the Spaniard has cut down his attempted dribbles in recent years and upped his shot output.

While his role has altered, the former Everton man remains a nightmare for opposing left in space. 

Victor Osimhen

Leading the line for Napoli, Victor Osimhen is a handful for defenders. The Nigerian is far more than a speed merchant, however, possessing great technical ability to find his way past opponents.

Osimhen has spearheaded a fearsome Napoli attack in 2022-23, as they have become overwhelming favourites in Serie A odds. 

Having starred as the club from Naples have ended their Scudetto drought, Osimhen might not be among the fastest Serie A players for much longer. Chelsea and Manchester United have been rumoured as potential suitors this summer. 

If Osimhen remains in Italy, he could make a case to be ranked among the best Serie A strikers of all-time. 

Juan Cuadrado

Into his mid-thirties, Juan Cuadrado’s time with Juventus is coming to an end.

He is still rapid, though not quite as quick as he once was. His game has not aged well, however, with some costly mistakes made during the 2022-23 campaign.

His dribbling numbers have fallen off a metaphorical cliff. Defensively, Juventus would surely prefer someone more reliable.

This summer will be an interesting one for the former Chelsea man – he has not adapted as his physical attributes waned, perhaps meaning this is the end for him at the top. 

Festy Ebosele

Albeit in under 250 league minutes, Festy Ebosele leads Serie A in dribbles attempted per 90 minutes in 2022-23.

Born in County Wexford, Ebosele moved to Udinese from Derby in 2022, and has earned several caps for the Republic of Ireland under 21s.

The 20-year-old has only started a few games this season, but has been used off the bench frequently since the World Cup.

He has work to do on his ball retention, yet there are signs Ebosele could develop into a starter for Udinese next season.

Leonardo Spinazzola

After starring at the Euros, Leonardo Spinazzola has recovered from injury and worked his way back into the Roma XI.

A marauding wing-back with pace to burn, Spinazzola’s style of play isn’t naturally suited to the managerial approach of Jose Mourinho, yet he has still found some good minutes this season.

Mourinho has favoured using Spinazzola in the Europa League, where he has attempted 5.5 dribbles per 90 minutes during Roma’s run to the last four. 

Rafael Leão

Of players to play over 1000 Serie A minutes this season, just four have attempted more dribbles per 90 than Rafael Leão.

Linked with Chelsea heavily last summer, Leão stayed at the San Siro and impressed further during the World Cup with Portugal. 

Standing at 6’1, Leão is not only quick-footed. He has the frame to compete physically with anyone on the field.

Direct and effective as both a play finisher and playmaker, there could be a real bidding war for the former Lille man this summer. 

Federico Chiesa

Returning from an ACL rupture earlier this season, Juventus have been careful with Federico Chiesa’s minutes in 2022-23.

It has taken some time to work back to his pre-injury heights, yet Chiesa is still a nightmare for defenders when he was space to run into.

At points, Chiesa has looked on course to become one of the best players in the world. Time will tell if that potential can be realised.

At just 25 years old, the Italian has time on his side, though his future might be outside of Turin, with the Old Lady reportedly considering a sale. 

Manuel Lazzari

Even if you’re regularly checking the Serie A live betting pages, you might not have heard of Manuel Lazzari.

The 29-year-old plays at right-back for Lazio, fulfilling a far less glamorous role than many of his peers on this list.

Lazzari, though, is ranked as one of Serie A’s fastest players on FIFA 23. He isn’t the most eye-catching full-back in Italian football, but he has been a solid contributor for a Lazio team which has its eyes on Champions League qualification. 

Hirving Lozano

Hirving Lozano has been in and out of the Napoli starting line up this season, with Luciano Spalletti spoilt for choice in attacking positions.

Lozano has been recognised as one of the world’s fastest players for several years, but has struggled to match that with sufficient end product since moving to Naples.

With only three goals and three assists in 29 Serie A outings, Lozano has been in the shadow of Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during I Partenopei’s historic campaign.

Theo Hernandez

How many left backs in world football would you take over Theo Hernandez? The list is short.

Hernandez has been a regular in the Milan starting lineup since joining from Real Sociedad. Very few players on the planet possess as much pace as the France international.

His ball-carrying has dropped off slightly this season, yet he is still an asset going forward when given the opportunity and his speed is incredibly useful in defence, too.

A transfer is the only way Hernandez relinquishes the title of fastest Serie A player any time soon. Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United are all interested.

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