Three Manchester United players have made it to the list of the slowest players in the Premier League in EA FC 25. The one constant that life has brought us more than anything else is that year after year, speed and tempo remain the most important factor in EA FC/FIFA. With that in mind, Win Betting Tips has compiled a list of the 10 slowest football player in the Premier League in this brand new game so you can make an informed decision.
Ranked 10 slowest footballers in the Premier League
10. Jack Stephens
Captain of Southampton, who have just been promoted back to the Premier League, Jack Stephens has been with the club since 2011 and has been an integral part of their development. During more than a decade at St Mary’s, he has made 185 appearances, contributing significantly to the team’s success. However, at the age of 30, Stephens is not known for his impressive pace. This is shown by his FC25 speed rating of just 42, which is quite low compared to players playing in the English top flight.
With Southampton facing a challenge to stay in the Premier League, Stephens’ role is still very important. However, to compete with top-class strikers, the team may need to improve the quality of their defense. This may require Stephens to improve his pace or the club may need to bring in new players with more defensive capabilities. For the fans, Stephens remains a symbol of loyalty and hard work, but they will also hope their captain adapts to help Southampton achieve their key season objective.
9. Lewis Dunk
Lewis Dunk has been a key player for Brighton & Hove Albion since their promotion to the Premier League in 2017. With his vast experience and strong work ethic, the 32-year-old has become a symbol of stability in the team's defence. His defensive and physical ratings on FC25 are an impressive 80, reflecting his solidity and ability to withstand pressure in high-level matches.
However, Dunk's weakness lies in his modest pace rating of just 41 on FC25. This could make him vulnerable to teams that favour a quick counter-attacking style of play, such as Liverpool or Tottenham. To counter this, Brighton may need to build a strategy to support Dunk, such as using younger, faster teammates to balance out this weakness. However, with his experience and outstanding ability to read situations, Dunk is still an important factor helping Brighton maintain stability in the Premier League.
8. Michael Keane
Michael Keane has come under fire from Everton fans after some unconvincing displays in the early stages of the 2024-25 season. While Everton have impressed with their goalscoring prowess, their defence has been inconsistent, with Keane often finding himself at the centre of complaints from fans. The pressure of Premier League action has made it difficult for him to maintain his form.
Four or five years ago, Keane was considered one of the most reliable centre-backs in the league. However, he is now rated 75 on the FC25, with his pace rating down to 41 – a drop of 11 points from last year. This is not only a reflection of his declining fitness, but also a sign that he is no longer keeping up with the pace of modern strikers. To improve the situation, Everton may need to change their defensive tactics or consider using younger and quicker players to add strength to the defense.
7. Jamaal Lascelles
Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle United's captain, is yet to feature in the 2024-25 season due to injury. His absence is a huge blow for the club, as his leadership and experience have been instrumental in Newcastle's return to the Premier League's top ranks.
However, at 30 years old, Lascelles' pace rating on FC25 is just 40, which is a limited number in a modern footballing landscape that demands speed and agility in all positions. This makes him an unattractive option for players using Newcastle in Career Mode of football simulation games. For players looking to optimise their squad, a move for Lascelles could be a wise decision, freeing up wage bills and allowing the opportunity to bring in younger, quicker players to bolster their defence.
6. Casemiro
Casemiro, once regarded as one of the world’s best defensive midfielders, has seen his overall rating drop from 89 to 84 on the FC25. This drop is not only a reflection of his underwhelming form last season with Manchester United, but also a clear impact on his in-game stats.
Most notable is the 25-point drop in pace, which takes him to 38 – a significant drop and an undeniable reflection of his limitations in movement and marking at this stage of his career. While Casemiro retains his reading of the game and solid defensive ability, his reduced pace has left him vulnerable to quicker midfielders on the counter-attack. For fans, this may lead them to question his long-term adaptability in a tough league like the Premier League.
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5. Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire, despite his frequent criticism, has had moments where he has proven his worth at Manchester United. One of those was a crucial last-minute equaliser against Porto in October 2024, which helped the team salvage a valuable point. However, speed has never been Maguire's strong point, even when he was at his peak.
According to FC25, the England defender's pace rating has dropped to 37, down nine points from last season, showing his growing limitations in dealing with agile forwards. However, his 82 fitness rating and 80 overall still confirm that he is not a player to be completely written off. With his strong aerial ability and experience of playing in major tournaments, Maguire can still be a valuable asset when used correctly, especially in defensive situations in the air or in set pieces. Although he is no longer suited to tactics that require speed, he still brings important value to the team when solidity and bravery are needed.
4. Willy Boly
Willy Boly, a regular in Nottingham Forest's defence, is now 33 and is experiencing a significant physical decline. On FC25, his pace rating has dropped from 55 to 34, a significant drop that reflects the Ivorian's limited ability to move and mark opponents at this stage of his career.
Despite this, Boly has opted to extend his contract with Nottingham Forest rather than become a free agent at the end of last season. He has expressed his delight at remaining at the City Ground, where he has become an important part of the team's defence. Boly's presence brings experience and command, helping Forest maintain stability at the back. While his pace is no longer a strong point, Boly can still contribute thanks to his reading of the game and his solidity, especially from set-pieces. His contract extension is not only a signal of loyalty but also confirms his important role in the team's plans.
3. Craig Dawson
Craig Dawson, the most experienced defender in the Wolverhampton Wanderers squad, has proven to be a key player in the Premier League over the years. However, at 34, Dawson is no longer as quick as he once was, with a pace rating of just 34 on the FC25, which is quite low for a modern defender. This shows that he has never been known as a quick centre-back, and his lack of pace is now even more apparent.
Dawson was previously nicknamed 'Ballon D'awson' when he played for West Ham due to his impressive performances, especially in the air and in defence. However, if you play for Wolves in 2024-25, patience and the experience of Dawson will be important. While speed isn't his strong suit, Dawson's reading of the game and his defensive composure can still provide stability at the back. You could do a lot worse without playing to his other strengths, like his leadership and top-level experience.
2. Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans, who returned to Manchester United last year, is an experienced player who has spent most of his career in the Premier League. At 36, Evans continues to be a key part of United's defence, with a wealth of experience and valuable leadership. However, with a pace rating of 33 on FC25, he is no longer an ideal option for the fast, physical confrontations of the Premier League.
Despite his tactical savvy and excellent reading of the game, Evans is past his physical peak, and his pace is a limiting factor. If you're looking to get Manchester United back to the top of the game, dropping Evans could be a sensible move. His slowness could make it difficult for him to deal with quick strikers on the counter-attack. Instead, United may need to look for younger, quicker centre-backs to bolster their defence and achieve bigger goals.
1. Jannik Vestergaard
Leicester City and Denmark defender Jannik Vestergaard is known to have the lowest pace rating of any Premier League player according to FC25, with a speed rating of just 32. Despite starting Leicester's first two Premier League games of last season, Vestergaard has not featured for the Foxes since. His loss of speed and quickness has made him a less-than-ideal option in the team's defence.
With such a low pace rating, Vestergaard is not an ideal choice for those who value mobility and defensive cover. If you are looking for a centre-back who can move quickly and deal effectively with fast strikers, you might be advised to look elsewhere on FC25. Although Vestergaard still has strong aerial ability and international experience, his reduced speed makes him less suitable for teams that need quickness in counter-attacking.
Final thoughts
In EA FC 25, the list of slowest football player in the Premier League offers an interesting look at players who stand out not because of their pace but because of other qualities. From Jannik Vestergaard, the slowest at 32, to Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire, experienced defenders, their lack of pace can put them at a disadvantage in quick counter-attacking situations. However, this does not completely negate their value on the pitch, especially when qualities such as fitness and experience still play a role. For EA FC 25 players, this is an opportunity to find creative tactical solutions to compensate for this limitation.
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