Kyle Walker has admitted that he is not the fastest player in the Premier League anymore after appearing to be outpaced during Manchester City‘s 3-2 win over Fulham earlier this month.
Walker has long been regarded as one of the quickest footballers in world football but the 34-year-old seemingly met his match in the form of Adama Traore at the Etihad Stadium on October 5.
After Raul Jimenez played a long pass into space, Walker and Traore both legged it towards the ball.
Despite Walker having a slight head start, Traore got to it first and he then burst clear of the City captain before shooting straight at Ederson – who spared his team-mate’s blushes.
Footage of Walker being beaten for pace unsurprisingly went viral via social media and he has now responded.
Adama Traore (right) beat Kyle Walker (left) for pace during Man City’s 3-2 win over Fulham
Fulham star Traore is well known for his physical attributes – especially his speed and strength
‘I just base myself on that I’m quick, I thought that I had him, it’s not an excuse, he beat me fair and square, but I’m going to remember it.
‘My arm should have come across but, you know, when I start running backwards [towards goal], nine times out of 10 people just stop, but he obviously backs himself so much, just like I do, he’s thought, “I can actually catch this”.
‘And next minute he’s actually in front of me and I’ve tried to give him the arm to try to claw a little bit back, he’s that strong. From what I’ve seen he could be up there with me.’
Walker went on to name Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven as another Premier League player who might be close to him in terms of speed.
But Walker also suggested that Traore was only the second player in world football to outpace him over the past two decades.
He added: ‘It’s not bad in 18 years, first time someone can actually say, probably [Ousmane] Dembele, I used to get that clip all the time when I’ve sprinted to him when we played France away.
Walker spoke about Traore this week on his BBC Sport podcast ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker’
Walker and Traore are both among the fastest players currently based in the Premier League
Ousmane Dembele (centre) pictured scoring a goal for France against England in June 2017
‘I sprinted to him and he’s actually already running the other way and everybody’s clipping it, “oh my gosh, Kyle Walker just got smoked”.
‘But that’s not a bad reaction for them to be that surprised, I’m obviously doing something right.’