Europa League: Villarreal's Chukwueze names toughest player he faced

Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze, has named the toughest opponent he has ever faced in the Europa League.

The 22-year-old Super Eagles star named Arsenal player, Granit Xhaka, as the toughest nut he has had to crack in the tournament this season.

Chukwueze has come up against the world's best defenders so far but reckons Xhaka is high up the list, adding that he did not have the freedom to operate against the Switzerland international.

Asked to name the toughest player he faced in this season's Europa League, Chukwueze told UEFA's official website ahead of Villarreal's final clash with Manchester United on Wednesday night: "It was (Granit) Xhaka.

"He was man-to-man marking me. He didn't give me space.

"He was just very close to me, and I couldn't move an inch."

He added: "It was dramatic against Arsenal. This is my first time reaching the Europa League final. I used to watch them on TV. I can't wait to be there."

Chukwueze is part of Villarreal's squad that travelled to Gdańsk in Poland to face United in the Europa League final.