JETRO WILLEMS has never come up against anyone quite like Adama Traore.
The Dutch left-back had the unenviable task of keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet as a teenager at Euro 2012.
Willems said trying stop Traore was more difficult than facing RonaldoCredit: Rex Features
But the Newcastle man reckons marking five-time Ballon d’Or winner CR7 was a breeze compared to facing the Wolves speedster, who has been clocked sprinting at 22mph.
Willems was given the runaround at Molineux by the Spaniard but then held his own to help the Toon to a commendable point.
He said: “I have played against some very good players in my career but no one quite as fast as Traore.
“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 incredible pace.
“But that is as tough an afternoon as I have had, even though I thought I did well.”
Traore, 23, is a sight to behold and has been one of the revelations of the season, with Wolves now valuing him at more than £70million.
Wolves were able to grab a point against Newcastle despite an early goal from the visitorsCredit: PA:Press Association
From the off, nobody was able to keep up with Traore once he stretched his legs. In the second half he completely bamboozled Willems down the right, leaving him in a heap on the floor before floating a ball to the far post.
A scuffed clearance fell to Matt Doherty, whose shot was eventually booted off the line by Matty Longstaff.
But other than glimpses of his raw talent when in open spaces, Steve Bruce’s side and in particular Willems — kept Traore quiet.
Miguel Almiron put the Magpies ahead with a classy finish after seven minutes.
It was the Paraguayan’s third in six games. But Leander Dendoncker levelled seven minutes later, sweeping home a corner when it evaded several Newcastle defenders.
With the injuries piling up for Bruce’s side, Newcastle held on but were indebted to Martin Dubravka’s stunning saves to deny Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto.
And it stopped the rot after three straight Premier League losses for the visitors.
One player who is starting to look like his old self is midfielder Sean Longstaff.
It took Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka to stop TraoreCredit: PA:Press Association
It has been a stop-start season for the local lad after an injury earlier in the season and a red card at home to Wolves in October. And he credits younger brother Matty, 19, with helping him get back on track.
Sean, 22, said: “Hopefully, I’ve turned the corner.
“It was at this point last year where I came into the team and did pretty well.
“Last weekend at Rochdale, I said to myself, ‘This is where it all started last year — you’ve got to do the same again in the second half of the season’.
“The people close to me are pretty honest with us, and luckily I’ve got my brother next to me who is one of the most honest of them all.
“Even he walked in on Saturday and said, ‘Woah, you’re a bit different today!’ ”He started laughing. Honesty’s what you need, and that’s probably why we are so close.“
Conor Coady has demanded Wolves start flying out of the traps to ensure their season does not fall flat.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have conceded the first goal in their last six Prem games and taken just one point from their last three.
And skipper Coady said: “It’s something that we need to cut out but the goals … they aren’t cutting us apart, it’s our mistakes.
“We’ve got to rectify it quick because the more we go down in games, we’re chasing it.
“We don’t want to keep relying on character to get back into games.”
Newcastle frustrated Wolves with men behind the ball and resolute defending.
Coady, 26, added: “It was up to us to break them down but we didn’t do enough to win.”
Manchester City and Liverpool joined by Barcelona in three-way transfer tussle for £70m-rated Wolves winger Adama Traoré
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
