Former Manchester City starlet Bersant Celina says Swansea’s Dan James is the quickest team-mate he’s played with.
The 22-year-old knows what he’s talking about, too, having come through City’s academy and trained with speedsters Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas at the Etihad.
Celina, who left City to join Swansea in a £3million deal last summer, starred alongside James in the Welsh club’s 4-1 FA Cup fifth-round win over Brentford on Sunday to set up a quarter-final tie with City next month.
The winger covered 82 yards in just 8.7 seconds to bring the Swans level before Celina and George Byers completed the route.
James would have been a Leeds player if Swansea had not pulled out of a deal at the last minute on January transfer deadline day. Swans boss Graham Potter said he had no qualms about playing his star man, who showcased his quality against Brentford.
And Celina even likened James’ pace to Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale.
He said: “I’ve never played with anyone faster. He’s got so much pace and is great with the ball. He can go far and become a world-class player.
“He definitely has the right attitude. He works hard every day and is very down-to-earth. If he believes in himself, he can get to the top. I have the same ambitions as him.
“Whenever I get the ball, I try to give it to him. I’ve never see anyone make runs like that. His timing is very smart.
“If he can get even better than that, nobody can stop him. It was like watching Gareth Bale running. I wish I could do that!”