Liverpool target might be the fastest player in history, reckons former teammate

Wolves winger, and Liverpool transfer target, Adama Traore might be the fastest footballer in the history of the game, believes former teammate Carles Gil.

The 24-year-old speed merchant is a terrifying physical threat, and while he has only scored four Premier League goals this season, defenders do not relish facing him.

Aston Villa brought Traore to England from Barcelona and Gil played with him at the Villains, where he was thoroughly impressed.

Now playing for New England Revolution, Gil believes Traore is definitely the fastest player in the world now, and possible ever.

‘He is a phenomenon,’ Gil told Stats Perform News. ‘You will see nothing similar with his characteristics: powerful, speed… no doubt, he is the quickest in the world.

‘I have always talked to friends; I don’t know if there has been as quick a player ever. Because we all would know him. It is just insane.

‘He had to polish other things. People have helped him and now he is showing that, having those characteristics, he will make differences for sure.

‘He still needs to improve little things, but he is called upon to make a difference.’

Traore, worryingly, has claimed in the past that he is not even running at full pace on a football pitch, after being told by former Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell to slow down while working with him at Middlesbrough.

‘I’ve always been quick, ever since I was little,’ Traore told the Telegraph. ‘People are thinking I am running so fast on the pitch, but I think it’s slow. I am deliberately holding back and I could be even quicker.

‘At Middlesbrough, Darren told me I didn’t need to run at 100 per cent as I didn’t realise how fast I was. I can beat players at 70 per cent and this will then give me time to think about what to do next.

‘I want to get people on the edge of their seats, get past players, try to show my skills and pace.’

Gil believes English football is perfectly suited for Traore, helping display his physical qualities which make him ‘almost unstoppable.’

‘Yes, possibly, it is true. English football is maybe a more physical game and he is outstanding in that aspect,’ Gil continued.

‘It doesn’t matter where he is because he will be outstanding in terms of fitness.

‘Tactically, it is maybe not as good [in English football]; there are more spaces, something which benefits him.

‘He prefers to have three rivals, but having loads of space, [rather] than one-on-one or two-on-one in a little space. It is more complicated for him. That’s why maybe [English football] suits him better.

‘Anyway, again, having those characteristics, if he improves other things, he is almost unstoppable.’

Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.