Euro 2020: 5 fastest players in the tournament

#3 Kylian Mbappe - France/Paris Saint-Germain

France v Bulgaria - International Friendly

The only surprise here ought to be that Kylian Mbappe is not higher up the list of fastest players at Euro 2020. We've seen plenty of examples of the effectiveness of the Frenchman's direct running. Mbappe is a nightmare to defend against and his pace with the ball at his feet contributes immensely to that.

Mbappe is one of France's chief weapons at Euro 2020 and for good reason. He is a tricky forward whose technical ability is a cut above the rest. Once he gets in behind the defence and turns on his afterburners, the best thing that defenders can do is hope that he misses with his shot.

Mbappe is one of the fastest ball carriers in the game and although he is only 22-years-old, he has plenty of experience playing at the highest level. His presence makes France arguably the most threatening team on the counter-attack at Euro 2020.

This is so true. This my favourite example of that. Neymar uses Mbappe’s speed and times his passes perfectly in this buildup. https://t.co/wS7GRUTwt1 pic.twitter.com/ua4a0m2l8G

— Em (@psgemz) June 8, 2021

#2 Kyle Walker - England/Manchester City

England v Czech Republic - UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier

31-year-old Kyle Walker is not only the oldest player in the England squad but also the fastest. Speaking to The Independent, Walker talked about being the fastest player on a team with a lot of young pacy attackers. He said:

“I always say to the young ones, ‘You might think I’m old,’ and they gave me a bit of stick when I shout ‘oldest starts’ in the possession or games. But I say, ‘If any of you want to race me, I am more than happy…and I’ll probably give you a head start as well.

“Who would win a 100m race at England? Me. If anyone told you different, they’d be lying!"

He topped the list of the fastest players in the Premier League in the 2019-20 and it certainly didn't look like he had lost any of that pace in the 2020-21 campaign. In 2019-20, he reportedly clocked 37.8 km/hr. Walker will bomb down that right-flank for England this time around and he will be quite a test for opposition left-backs.

Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Fred make the top 10 fastest Premier League players of the season #MUFC pic.twitter.com/4trRPiNYlT

— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) July 28, 2020

#1 Adama Traore - Spain/Wolverhampton Wanderers

Spain v Switzerland - UEFA Nations League

The 25-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers winger is the fastest player at Euro 2020. Traore's is a menacing presence on the football pitch. Built like a tank, it's incredible how quick he is. It is nearly impossible to shake him off the ball and he wrestles players away with brute strength, leaving them clutching at tufts of grass as he blazes off.

He offers Spain a great alternative on the wings. Traore has to improve in a lot of departments. His finishing, for example, is rather lackluster. But there's no one quite like him when it comes to getting into dangerous crossing positions and whipping in some inviting balls for his forwards.

Traore is without doubt the fastest player at Euro 2020. We're hoping he will recover from a minor injury issue just in time for La Roja's opening fixture against Sweden.