How would these Premier League stars fare at Rio 2016?

Footballers are a pretty versatile bunch. Indeed, it’s a sport which requires many different skills, characteristics and body types, ranging from the muscly, rugged, typically English centre-half to diminutive, speedy forwards like four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

So with the 2016 Olympics in Rio now only just around the corner – almost exactly one year away to be precise – This Is Futbol feel compelled to consider how some of the Premier League’s biggest stars might fare at next summer’s tournament. Or more specifically, what events they should try out for.

Theo Walcott – 100 metres

Theo Walcott is one of the fastest (if not the fastest) players in world football and that lightening pace has destroyed Premier League defences for years, resulting in a return of 50 goals in 208 league outings for Arsenal. The 26 year-old claims he’s ran the 100 metres in 10.3 seconds before, which may not beat Usain Bolt’s world-record time of 9.58 seconds but could be just enough to see him advance to the latter stages in Rio next summer.

Kurt Zouma – High Jump

Chelsea youngster Kurt Zouma is probably a little too broad in the shoulder department to be a serious contender in Rio 2016’s High Jump event. But have you seen how high the 20 year-old can leap from a standing position? It puts the likes of Vincent Kompany and Laurent Koscielny to shame.

Perhaps in a different life, if the France international’s leaping potential had been spotted from an early age, he’d be attempting to trump Javier Sotomayor’s world-record jump of 2.45 metres at next summer’s Olympic Games.

Willian – 10,000 metres

Another Chelsea star whose footballing talent is underpinned by exceptional athleticism. I’m not sure I’ve seen a footballer – let alone an attacking midfielder – with as much energy, industry and speed as the Brazil international. Ever-famed for his inconsistent output, Willian could have enjoyed a happier life as a long-distance runner. He’s certainly got the pace, the endurance and the gritty mentality to win those excruciating 10k Olympic races.

Jordan Henderson – Coxless Four (rowing)

The British have an absolutely phenomenal record when it comes to rowing events at the Olympics, epitomised best by five-time Gold Medal winner Sir Steve Redgrave, who has been dubbed our nation’s greatest ever Olympian. Indeed, there’s something in the British genes that make us very good endurance athletes – in addition to dominating the rowing scene, we’re also at the top of the food chain when it comes to cycling.

And I see much of that typically British stamina and determination in Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who seems to touch every blade of grass at least twice over the course of 90 minutes. He might need a crash course in how to use a set of oars, but the 25 year-old could certainly do a job for Britain in the Coxless Four at Rio next summer.

Want to find out if you have untapped potential as an Olympic athlete? Have a go at Fitness First’s ‘What Olympic Sport are you?’ quiz below!