Raheem Sterling and the 10 Fastest Players in the Premier League

Pace is essential if you aspire to be a top team in the modern game, with an attribute which can drive opponents back and put fear into defenders exactly what is often needed.

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling has had an eventful week, but he's also demonstrated this extreme pace ever since breaking into the Reds side when Brendan Rodgers took over as manager in 2012, but who are his rivals for the speed king crown among the current Premier League players?

Here are 10 of the division's quickest.

Theo Walcott

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The sight of Theo Walcott sprinting through on goal in an Arsenal shirt hasn't been seen for a while now due to the injury that the quicksilver winger/forward picked up in January.

That blow ruled Walcott out of England's World Cup campaign, too, and although he has become something of a forgotten man at the Emirates Stadium and with his national team since then, he will still have an awful lot to offer both Arsene Wenger and Roy Hodgson when he finally fully recovers.

Aaron Lennon

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The success of the trio of Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli and Christian Eriksen in Mauricio Pochettino's new-look Tottenham Hotspur side have made opportunities tough to come by for winger Aaron Lennon, whose 21 England caps date back to 2006.

It could be, then, that the 27-year-old finds himself moving on from White Hart Lane soon as he bids to earn more regular first-team action, and whoever wants to bring him in would be getting hold of a player whose express pace has always made it difficult for his direct opponents. 

Antonio Valencia

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Louis van Gaal's decision to start his Manchester United reign by using wing-backs on both flanks might not have received universal acclaim, but Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia probably saw it as an opportunity to prolong his United career.

The former Wigan Athletic man can play at both right-back and on the right of midfield in the more conventional 4-4-2, as he uses his searing pace to help create chances for United's stellar ranks of attackers.

Angel Di Maria

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Valencia's new teammate Angel Di Maria has captured the attention of Manchester United fans ever since arriving at the club from Real Madrid this summer, and although his pace might not be one of the most discussed attributes of his game, it is clearly something which adds to his already pretty full skill set.

Di Maria found himself somewhat marginalised by the other rapid players at Real, but at United the stage would appear to be set for him to shine. 

Gabriel Agbonlahor

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Now an Aston Villa stalwart, Gabriel Agbonlahor's pace has been troubling Premier League defences ever since he made his debut for the club in 2005.

Although his England career has stalled ever since he picked up three caps between 2008 and 2009, Agbonlahor's threat is now well-known, and he's a player who no defender can afford to give any amount of space to.

Eden Hazard

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Given the rest of his extraordinary amount of skills, Eden Hazard's pace isn't something which is often brought up in conversation about the Chelsea and Belgium star, a player who has long since established himself as one of the top performers in the Premier League.

Hazard has assumed the mantle of Jose Mourinho's main creative force without any fuss, constantly accumulating goals and assists week after week, with his pace a key attribute. 

Lazar Markovic

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Things haven't quite happened for Lazar Markovic at Liverpool just yet, as the Serbian continues to adjust to life in the Premier League, having made the switch from Benfica in Portugal.

Regular watchers of the 20-year-old will tell you that, once he's finally up to speed with life at Anfield, his express pace will be a key attribute as he looks to cause defenders problems.

As he told the Daily Mail recently, supporters might have to be patient with him in his first season with the Reds, but once he's settled, he promises to be quite a player. 

Jesus Navas

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The paciest of Manchester City's galaxy of stars, Spanish winger Jesus Navas often offers an out ball for City on the right flank where he frequently terrorises opponents.

Although he's now tumbled out of the reckoning for the Spanish national team, Navas' pace is crucial for Manuel Pellegrini and City—particularly in away games—as he helps stretch opponents and force them onto the back foot, thereby setting the scene for City's big-hitters to deliver the fatal blows.

Kyle Walker

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Currently out injured and so therefore out of contention for both Tottenham and England, Kyle Walker will face a battle to get back into both sides once he returns.

One thing that you can't question, though, is the right-back's pace and his offer of a threat down the right-hand side for club and country. His frequent overlaps and ability to pop up with an important goal or two make him one of the premier right-backs in the Premier League.

Raheem Sterling

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Last season's unexpected title challenge brought the best out of Raheem Sterling, whose stellar form in the final few months of the season saw him establish himself as a key member of the England squad heading to the World Cup.

An impressive game against Italy in Brazil showcased the immense talent of the 19-year-old, who allies his speed with his strength and eye for a good pass to frequently trouble defences both at club level and for his country.