Barcelona defender names Chelsea star as one of his toughest opponents

Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde has named Chelsea star Noni Madueke as one of the toughest opponents he’s faced across his entire career to date.

The 21-year-old Barca left-back, capped seven times by Spain, locked horns with Madueke in his youth football days and insists the winger is a ‘good player’.

England international Madueke has impressed for the Blues under Enzo Maresca this term, conjuring up five goals across 10 games in all competitions.

The west Londoners signed Madueke on a seven-and-a-half-year contract in January 2023, with Chelsea paying Dutch club PSV Eindhoven around £28.5m.

The 22-year-old has made a total of 56 appearances for Chelsea to date, with Madueke scoring 14 times and providing three assists over that time frame.

‘Another could be when I was in youth football against Madueke, who’s at Chelsea now,’ Balde told ESPN when asked to reveal his toughest opponents.

‘He’s a good player, I think he was at PSV then, it was another good game.’

Speaking in September, football pundit Jamie O’Hara tipped Madueke to start challenging Arsenal star Bukayo Saka for his spot in England’s first-choice XI.

‘He’s really stepped it up this season, and I like the way he’s so direct, always wanting the ball and making things happen,’ O’Hara told Grosvenor Sport.

‘I think Madueke could be a real game-changer for England, and I’d go as far as to say he could challenge Bukayo Saka for a starting spot!’

After Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Newcastle United in their last Premier League match, Alan Smith declared that Madueke was now an ‘automatic pick’ for the Blues.

‘Madueke, almost an automatic pick these days,’ the Arsenal legend said on Sky Sports.

‘He’s got the confidence, the trust of his manager and he’s shown a consistency of performance.’