Kevin-Prince Boateng has played in four of Europe’s top five leagues, so he has faced a lot of opponents, but one Chelsea player stands above the rest.
A title-winner in Spain with Barcelona and Italy with AC Milan, Boateng has also had stints at Spurs, Dortmund, Frankfurt and oddly enough, Portsmouth.
So when he is asked for his toughest ever opponent, he can pull from 18 seasons of experience at 13 different clubs.
All the more impressive, then, that a Chelsea great is the first name to his mind — and perhaps not the one you would expect.
Claude Makelele playing for Chelsea
Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images
Kevin-Prince Boateng names Claude Makelele as his toughest opponent
In the 20 years since Boateng made his debut, there have been some all-time great midfielders of every profile.
Yet, he doesn’t hesitate in making his decision.
Appearing on UNSCRIPTED, he was asked for his toughest opponent, responding: “Makelele. He always knew what’s going to happen.
“He was small, not the strongest, not the quickest, but he always knew where the ball going to drop.”
Claude Makelele was the engine in Chelsea’s midfield during the glory years in the mid-2000s. The Blues never fell further than second in the Premier League while the Frenchman was there. He was just as instrumental at Real Madrid, too.
Makelele recently valued himself at £150 million in today’s market — a hefty estimation, but he knows how good he was. And so does Boateng.
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Makelele was just one of many world-class defensive midfielders to ply their trade at Stamford Bridge. Players like Michael Essien, N’Golo Kante and of course, Moises Caicedo.
Makelele thinks Caicedo isn’t better than those midfielders, but he’s certainly getting close.
A Premier League or Champions League win would surely take him to their level at a minimum.
But the 6 role is a position that has seldom been left wanting for talent at Chelsea. Long may it continue.