'Pain to play against' - USMNT and Monaco star Folarin Balogun receives high praise from Nice defender and Chelsea transfer target Jean-Clair Todibo ahead of Ligue 1 clash

Speaking ahead of Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between the two clubs, the Nice defender recalled playing against a 'pain' in Balogun, last campaign during his loan spell at Reims. The Chelsea-linked France international praised him for his goal-scoring capability, and mentioned he is up for the challenge when they meet on Sunday.

He told a press conference: “Folarin is a player with a really interesting profile, who makes superb runs in behind, who is good in duels, who is good with back to goal, and even better with face to goal. He eats up space and he can score a lot of goals. This season hasn’t been the best, but last year he was great with Reims, and he scored plenty of goals and he caused me lots of problems! He is a pain to play against. He was very sought after in the summer, maybe he needs time to adapt. Once he has adapted and when his time comes, he’ll do great things."

Balogun has struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis this season with just four goals and three assist in 15 appearances. However, he has also struggled with injuries, with him briefly being sidelined in the new year. He is, now, though, back to his scoring ways after finding the back of the net from the penalty spot on Thursday in the Coupe de France.

The two Ligue 1 sides clash on Sunday in a second against fifth clash as Balogun and Co. look to further climb the table in an attempt to close the gap on leaders PSG.