JETRO WILLEMS claims trying to shackle Adama Traore was tougher than lining up against Cristiano Ronaldo.

Willems was handed the task of trying to keep Traore quiet as Newcastle lined up at Molineux at the weekend, and the Dutch wing-back fared impressively as his side claimed a 1-1 draw.

Traore embarked on the occasional blockbuster burst down the right-hand side, but the former Middlesbrough winger was forced to drop deep as Willems denied him space behind the Newcastle backline.

Since leaving Teesside in the summer of 2018, Traore has developed into one of the most exciting players in the Premier League, and Willems regards him as a match for the world’s very best.

“I have played against some very good players in my career, but no one quite as fast as Traore,” said the Dutchman, who is on a season-long loan from Eintracht Franfurt. “He is unbelievable, definitely a beast. Not only is he incredibly fast, he is so, so strong as well.

“He’s known as the fastest man in football and now I know that is true. I like to think I am quite fast too – at least I did before playing against him! That was something else.

“I have played against Ronaldo, who is fast, but not that fast. Of course, he is so skilful but sometimes that is easier than being up against someone with such incredible pace.”

Traore, a former Barcelona trainee, is being linked with a possible £80m move to Manchester United or Liverpool, but is he really as good as Ronaldo?

“I played against Ronaldo in the Euros when Netherlands played Portugal,” said Willems. “That was tough, but this was as tough an afternoon as I have had even though I thought I did quite well.”