When it comes to Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland, many football fans think of speed.
Pep Guardiola took full advantage of this as he developed Walker into one of the best right-backs in the world, with Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina labelling the Man City star as the best right-back to ever play in the Premier League.
As for Haaland, the Norwegian striker uses his pace to get in behind defences and break through on goal, as the 24-year-old is considered one of the fastest in Man City’s current squad.
Mateo Kovacic has witnessed both stars get up to full speed, however, the Croatian midfielder has stated that neither of the duo is the fastest player he has ever seen.
Mateo Kovacic ranks Gareth Bale faster than Kyle Walker and Erling Haaland
Walker is set to leave Man City at the end of the season as the 34-year-old’s body is not able to handle the Premier League anymore, having lost a touch of his speed.
The Englishman is not one of the fastest players in Guardiola’s squad at present, with Haaland faster and, surprisingly, Matheus Nunes has reached a very high top speed this season.
When asked to build a footballer by the Emirates FA Cup’s TikTok account, Kovacic chose Gareth Bale for speed, as the former Tottenham star seems to be the fastest player the midfielder has ever played with.
Haaland didn’t beat the former Real Madrid star in that category, however, Kovacic did name the Norwegian superstar as the best finisher he has played with, while Kevin De Bruyne has the best vision of any of the Croatian’s present and former teammates.
Walker would have fancied himself in a race with Bale during his prime, and stats show that the Man City legend would have won.
Kyle Walker has proven he is faster than Gareth Bale
Both Walker and Bale are electric and there is not much to separate the pair when it comes to their top speed.
The Welsh star was labelled the fastest player in the world back in 2015 via TNT Sports, reaching a top speed of 36.9km/h.
However, Walker has recorded a faster speed than this, reported talkSPORT, with the England international once reaching a top speed of 37.31km/h, which he set during the 2022/23 season, which was the Premier League’s highest at the time.
When it comes to running with the ball at his feet, Bale is very likely faster; however, when it comes to pure pace, it seems Walker has the advantage, therefore, Kovacic seems to have got this one wrong.
