Joao Cancelo will be hoping that Bayern Munich don't draw Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals after his loan side moved past Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. The Portugal international moved to Germany from Manchester City in January on loan with an option to buy and has already impressed at his new club.
That doesn't mean that he will be relishing the chance to play anyone in the next round though. 2020 winners Bayern looked strong both home and away against PSG but Cancelo has already told the Blues that they posses one of his toughest opponents.
He was part of the 2021 side that were beaten by Chelsea in Porto and has a mixed record against the club since signing for City in 2019. After winning the first two matches he lost the next two before finishing off with back-to-back wins. He was subbed off at half time in the 1-0 win back in January too.
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He may also have been lucky that night as Christian Pulisic was forced off with injury after just 25 minutes. The American in particular is noteworthy because in March 2021 Cancelo said: "I usually chat with my teammates about it [my hardest opponent]. It may sound strange but for me, the most difficult winger I have faced in the Premier League is Pulisic from Chelsea."
That may come as a surprise to many, with Pulisic only playing 381 minutes against the full-back, however one of his most memorable goals during his time at Stamford Bridge came during that time. In a run of form that hasn't been bettered by him in the two years since, Pulisic's lockdown football period was truly world class.
Between June and July 2020 he scored four goals and got four assists across nine games and just 651 minutes. It accounts for close to nearly half of his goal contributions, including a stunning solo strike against City. "He is a very skilful and fast player with the ball with quick dribbles," Canelo explains.
"So for me, he is the most difficult winger I have played." The USMNT star will now be hoping he can find some of that form as he looks to kick on after returning from injury on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund.
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