A quick question for you West Ham United fans counting down the minutes until Monday’s late kick-off; Who do you reckon is the fastest player in Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad?
Now, there are a few obvious candidates.
Crysencio Summerville is perhaps the first that comes to mind. Jarrod Bowen is no slouch either, while El Hadji Malick Diouf and Mateus Fernandes love nothing more than showing the opposition a clean pair of heels.
When was the last time a West Ham player excited you so much?! 😍
In a few weeks’ time, when presumably he has more minutes in the legs, one assumes Adama Traore will feature pretty prominently in such discussions.
According to the official Premier League website, though, the quickest player in a West Ham United shirt right now is not Summerville, Bowen, Diouf or Fernandes. It’s not even Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
In fact, Jean-Clair Todibo actually tops the charts.
Jean-Clair Todibo recorded as West Ham United’s fastest in 2025/26
Todibo has been clocked recording a top speed of 35.12 km/h.
Per official Premier League data, this makes him nippier than more renowned speed-freaks such as Antoine Semenyo and Ian Maatsen, who lead the way at Manchester City and Aston Villa respectively.
While not the first name which comes to mind when you discuss explosive acceleration, Todibo usually puts his pace to good use. Konstantinos Mavropanos and Axel Disasi are big, imposing physical powerhouses.
Where Todibo lacks in raw strength and aerial prowess, though, he often makes up for with his excellent reading of the game and his ability to cover his defensive partner.
Todibo offers a nice alternative to Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos
Who do YOU want to see start v Brentford in the FA Cup? 🏆
Nuno is expected to ring the changes…
During the 1-0 midweek victory over Fulham – Todibo was faultless at Craven Cottage – the former Nice, Schalke and Barcelona man produced one trademark piece of defensive play in the second-half; darting across to the right-hand flank, reaching a loose ball quicker than a home forward, and carrying it out of danger with classic composure.
Given that Mavropanos and Disasi are not exactly the most agile or athletic centre-halves, Todibo’s turn of pace is likely to come in handy a lot more often between now and the end of May. He is, in short, a nice, cultured alternative to a pair of burly defensive bruisers.
Nuno may opt to start Todibo again when Brentford come to town in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday.
The Frenchman is getting up to speed again following a spell on the sidelines brought about by his red card at Stamford Bridge.
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