Anthony Elanga: A Rising Star
Anthony Elanga, the promising 23-year-old winger formerly with Manchester United and currently pivotal to Nottingham Forest’s strategy, showcases a remarkable array of skills, with speed being his most distinguishing feature. Over the past two seasons, Elanga’s development has made him a key asset, particularly noted for his significant contributions in goal-scoring and playmaking, traits that have refined his impact on the pitch.
Impressive Speed and Performance
In the 2024-25 season, Elanga’s speed set him apart, recording impressive statistics—he was ranked among the top three in both peak speed and the percentage of time spent sprinting throughout the league. His ability to explode into space was crucial in Nottingham Forest’s counter-attacking style, orchestrated by coach Nuno Espirito Santo. Noteworthy is how Elanga’s pace was complemented by fellow winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, forming a dangerous duo that thrived on quick transitions.
A recent highlight of Elanga’s speed prowess was when he shared a sprinting video on his social media, clocking in at 10.93 seconds for 100 meters, cleverly positioning himself just shy of Usain Bolt’s record of 9.58 seconds, which has stood for nearly 16 years.
His confidence in his speed was further emphasized in a December 2024 interview, where he expressed his discontent over his FIFA video game rating, feeling that it underestimated his capabilities in real-world play—“I’m the fastest in the dressing room… maybe in the Premier League,” he asserted, although the statistics paint a more nuanced picture.
League Statistics and Comparisons
When analyzing league stats, the fastest player recorded was Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven at 37.12 km/h, closely followed by Matheus Nunes from Manchester City. Elanga’s top speed was a noteworthy 36.66 km/h, making him the fastest forward in the league, though not the outright fastest player. Moreover, his energetic style shone through with a remarkable total of 730 sprints, placing him seventh overall among his peers—most of whom were full-backs, namely Daniel Munoz, Antonee Robinson, and Milos Kerkez.
The league also tracks the time players spend sprinting, where Elanga ranked third with an impressive 1.09 percent of his total playing time devoted to sprinter’s bursts, just behind Rodrigo Gomes and Anthony Gordon.
Strategic Use of Speed
However, speed in football necessitates strategic use; it cannot solely dictate a player’s effectiveness. While players known for their pace—like Carlos Forbs—struggle to make an impact due to shortcomings in other areas, Elanga differentiates himself by intelligently utilizing his pace both with and without the ball. He exemplified this during Sweden’s recent friendly against Hungary, showing his ability to exploit space, although a misfired shot meant his effort was not converted into a goal.
Career Highlights
One of the highlights of Elanga’s career was his electrifying solo goal against Manchester United, his former club, where he showcased both speed and skill in a breakaway, managing to leave defenders behind effortlessly. Another pivotal moment was his assist against Tottenham, where he navigated the field with explosive bursts to set up a straightforward goal for teammate Chris Wood.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Anthony Elanga may not officially hold the title of the Premier League’s fastest player, he undoubtedly lays claim to being one of its most effective, leveraging his incredible speed to significantly impact both Nottingham Forest and the Swedish national team.
