Pace is one of football’s most visible physical attributes, but it is not essential for every role.

Central midfielders can compensate for a modest top speed through anticipation, positioning and quick distribution. Experienced defenders can avoid foot races by reading danger early, while technically secure players can move the ball faster than any opponent can run.

Identifying the Premier League’s slowest players is not as straightforward as ranking its fastest. Maximum speed depends partly on opportunity. A winger regularly running into open space is far more likely to reach top speed than a midfielder operating in a compact central area.

This list is therefore based primarily on the lowest recorded maximum speeds from the completed 2025/26 Premier League season, cross-checked against the official 2026/27 squad lists. Where comparable tracking figures are not publicly available, selections are clearly identified as estimates.

Goalkeepers are excluded because their position rarely gives them an opportunity to reach a representative maximum running speed.

The ranking reflects current Premier League squads as of September 2026. It should be treated as an informed assessment rather than an official 2026/27 table.

The Estimated Slowest Premier League Players in 2026/27

1. Will Hughes, Crystal Palace
2. Mikel Merino, Arsenal
3. Nicolás Domínguez, Nottingham Forest
4. Pascal Groß, Brighton & Hove Albion
5. Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace
6. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland
7. Lewis Cook, Bournemouth
8. Ross Barkley, Aston Villa
9. Harry Maguire, Manchester United
10. Lewis Dunk, Brighton & Hove Albion

The first five names are supported by published 2025/26 maximum-speed data and remain registered with Premier League clubs in 2026/27. The final five are estimates based on playing style, position, career stage and observable mobility rather than a complete current-season speed table.

1. Will Hughes, Crystal Palace: 29.54km/h in 2025/26

Will Hughes is the strongest data-backed candidate to be the slowest established outfield player in the 2026/27 Premier League.

The Crystal Palace midfielder recorded a maximum speed of 29.54km/h last season, the lowest figure among qualifying outfield players in the published 2025/26 ranking. Players with fewer than 900 minutes and all goalkeepers were excluded from that comparison. Hughes remains in Palace’s registered squad for 2026/27.

His game has never depended on explosive running. Hughes contributes through positioning, tactical discipline and short passing, often operating in areas where awareness is more important than maximum velocity.

He also understands how to close space without sprinting directly towards the ball. By anticipating the next pass, Hughes can position himself to disrupt an attack before it develops into an open-field race.

His low maximum speed therefore identifies a physical limitation, but it does not provide a complete assessment of his defensive or midfield effectiveness.

2. Mikel Merino, Arsenal: 29.84km/h in 2025/26

Mikel Merino recorded a top speed of 29.84km/h during the previous campaign, placing him second in the published list of the Premier League’s slowest qualifying outfield players. He is part of Arsenal’s submitted squad for 2026/27.

Merino compensates for his lack of top-end speed with size, strength and intelligent movement. He is particularly effective in aerial contests and physical duels, where timing and body positioning matter more than acceleration.

His passing also allows him to increase the tempo of a match without moving quickly himself. A well-timed first-touch pass can advance an attack more effectively than carrying the ball over several metres.

Within a possession-oriented team, Merino’s role rarely requires repeated long-distance sprints. Arsenal can instead use his physical presence, technical security and ability to occupy valuable central spaces.

3. Nicolás Domínguez, Nottingham Forest: 30.28km/h in 2025/26

Nicolás Domínguez recorded a maximum speed of 30.28km/h last season. That was the third-lowest figure among qualifying outfield players in the published 2025/26 rankings. He remains registered with Nottingham Forest for the new campaign.

Domínguez is not a static midfielder, however. Maximum speed measures the quickest individual sprint rather than total distance covered, pressing intensity or frequency of movement.

A player can therefore work continuously without ever reaching an especially high velocity. Domínguez’s contribution is based more on persistence, tactical awareness and involvement in midfield contests than explosive open-field running.

His presence near the top of this list shows why “slowest” should not be interpreted as “least athletic.”

4. Pascal Groß, Brighton & Hove Albion: 30.80km/h in 2025/26

Pascal Groß reached a maximum of 30.80km/h during the 2025/26 Premier League season. He is included in Brighton & Hove Albion’s registered squad for 2026/27.

Groß has built his career around attributes that are largely independent of speed. His passing range, awareness and set-piece quality allow him to influence matches through decision-making.

He tends to release possession before pressure becomes a direct physical contest. This reduces the need to accelerate away from opponents and allows him to dictate play without covering long distances at maximum pace.

His inclusion also demonstrates the importance of context. Groß may be one of the league’s slower runners, but he can still make the game move quickly through efficient circulation of the ball.

5. Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace: 30.84km/h in 2025/26

Adam Wharton recorded a maximum speed of 30.84km/h last season, placing him among the Premier League’s slowest qualifying outfield players. He remains part of Crystal Palace’s current squad.

Wharton is perhaps the clearest example of why a low maximum speed does not prevent a midfielder from controlling a game.

He frequently scans before receiving possession, allowing him to identify his next action in advance. Instead of attempting to escape an opponent through acceleration, he can move the ball immediately and eliminate pressure with a pass.

Defensively, he relies on positioning and interception rather than chasing opponents over long distances. His speed of thought is significantly more important to his role than his straight-line sprint speed.

6. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland: Estimated

Granit Xhaka is an estimated selection rather than one supported by a confirmed 2026/27 bottom-10 speed.

The experienced midfielder’s game is based on passing, organisation, strength and tactical intelligence. He typically moves possession quickly rather than carrying it over long distances.

Xhaka also attempts to engage opponents before they can accelerate. By occupying the correct area and confronting a runner early, he can avoid being drawn into a recovery sprint.

His inclusion is plausible based on his playing profile and career stage, but it should not be treated as a verified statistical position.

7. Lewis Cook, Bournemouth: Estimated

Lewis Cook is another estimated candidate.

The Bournemouth midfielder is an active and disciplined player, but his influence comes from positioning, ball circulation and tactical work rather than outstanding top-end pace. Cook is included in Bournemouth’s registered 2026/27 squad.

He generally operates centrally, where movements are shorter and changes of direction are more common than extended straight-line sprints.

Cook may ultimately sit outside the statistical bottom 10 once complete tracking data becomes available. His inclusion reflects his positional profile rather than a verified current-season maximum.

8. Ross Barkley, Aston Villa: Estimated

Ross Barkley is included as a provisional candidate based on his current role, physical profile and stage of career. He is registered in Aston Villa’s 2026/27 squad.

Barkley possesses strength and ball-striking power, but sustained sprinting is no longer one of the defining elements of his game.

He is more likely to influence possession through passing, receiving between the lines or advancing the ball with controlled carries. His physicality helps him resist contact even when he cannot accelerate away from an opponent.

Without a published 2026/27 maximum-speed figure, his exact position cannot be confirmed.

9. Harry Maguire, Manchester United: Estimated

Harry Maguire is unlikely to be among the fastest centre-backs in the competition, but there is no complete current-season dataset confirming that he belongs in ninth place.

The Manchester United defender is most effective when the match is in front of him. His strengths include aerial power, positioning and the ability to compete directly with a centre-forward.

A lack of acceleration can become more visible when he is asked to turn and chase an attacker into open space. However, good defensive judgement can prevent those running contests from developing.

His selection is therefore an assessment of playing profile, not an official speed ranking.

10. Lewis Dunk, Brighton & Hove Albion: Estimated

Lewis Dunk completes the estimated top 10.

The experienced Brighton & Hove Albion defender relies on anticipation, aerial ability and distribution rather than recovery pace. He remains in Brighton’s submitted squad for 2026/27.

Dunk is comfortable defending crosses and dealing with play in front of him. His passing also allows Brighton to progress the ball without requiring him to carry it forward at speed.

Like Maguire, he can be more vulnerable when isolated against a quick attacker in a large area. His positioning is therefore essential to limiting the number of direct foot races he must contest.

Why the Rankings Are Estimates

There is not yet a sufficiently complete public 2026/27 dataset to produce a definitive ranking of the league’s slowest players.

Maximum-speed statistics also require careful interpretation. They measure the fastest moment a player reaches during a match, not acceleration, agility, endurance or overall work rate.

The results are affected by several factors:

• Position: Wide players receive more opportunities to sprint than central midfielders.
• Tactical role: Possession players may rarely need to run over an extended distance.
• Minutes played: A small sample reduces the opportunity to record a representative maximum.
• Match circumstances: One counterattack can transform a player’s seasonal figure.
• Fitness: Injuries and managed workloads can suppress maximum-speed results.
• Age and experience: Older players may conserve energy and depend more on anticipation.
• Team structure: A compact system can protect slower players from open-field races.

This explains why the confirmed names from last season’s bottom 10 were all central midfielders. The result reflects positional demands as well as physical capacity.

Why Goalkeepers Are Excluded

Goalkeepers rarely travel far enough to reach their genuine maximum running speed.

Their athleticism is measured more meaningfully through reactions, lateral movement, jumping ability and acceleration over a few metres. Including them would fill the bottom of the rankings with players whose roles do not require sustained running.

Restricting the list to outfield players creates a more useful comparison.

Who Is the Slowest Premier League Player in 2026/27?

Will Hughes is currently the strongest evidence-based candidate.

He recorded the lowest qualifying maximum speed in the published 2025/26 data at 29.54km/h and remains in Crystal Palace’s registered squad for 2026/27. Mikel Merino and Nicolás Domínguez follow based on last season’s figures.

However, Hughes cannot yet be definitively declared the slowest player of the new campaign. A complete 2026/27 comparison will require a larger sample and consistent minimum-minutes criteria.

Final Thoughts

The Premier League’s slower players demonstrate that football intelligence can compensate for limited top-end pace.

Hughes and Wharton read central spaces effectively. Merino uses strength and aerial ability. Domínguez contributes through work rate, while Groß accelerates the game with his passing rather than his running.

The evidence-based portion of the ranking is considerably stronger than the previous version because it removes departed players and retains only those who appear in the official 2026/27 Premier League squad lists.

For now, Will Hughes is the leading candidate. But until the league publishes a complete set of 2026/27 measurements, the ranking should be understood as a combination of verified previous-season data and clearly labelled estimates.