Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has quickly established himself as one of the world's most elite wingers, with his career having proliferated after making the move to Paris Saint-Germain from SSC Napoli. The Georgian international played a key role in Napoli winning their first Scudetto in over 30 years when they won Serie A in the 2022-23 season, having tallied 12 goals and 13 assists in the league that season.
Napoli then won the Serie A title again in 2024/25, but Kvaratskhelia joined PSG midway through that season in the winter transfer window, going on to win the Champions League with his new club and making it to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. He tallied 13 goals and 11 assists across all competitions between the Naples and Parisian outfits that season, having scored four of his goals in the Champions League knockout stages for PSG, including one in the 5-0 final win over Inter Milan.
Last season, it was more of the same for the Georgian in Paris. He bagged 19 goals and 11 assists from a total of 48 appearances across all competitions on the way to the Ligue 1 and Champions League titles; doing enough to get himself on the list of 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Toughest Defender He's Faced
On his day, Kvaratskhelia is more than capable of beating anyone that's stood in front of him, but he's certainly faced his fair share of difficult defenders.
On a recent episode of Rio Ferdinand's 'Rio Meets' YouTube channel, the former Manchester United and England defender sat down with Kvaratskhelia and asked him who he feels are tough defenders to face. He's answer might come as somewhat of a surprise;
Here, actually, in France, there are good defenders. They're fast, really difficult to play, but I think Trent Alexander-Arnold is...I cannot say many, but I think this - the time I am in Paris - the hardest one (to play against), was Trent.
In total, Kvaratskhelia has squared off against Trent a total of four times during the latter's tenure at Liverpool, all of which occurred in the Champions League; twice with Napoli and twice with PSG. He won and lost once with both Napoli and PSG from those four matches, though they could wind up facing each other at some point this season if Real Madrid and the Parisians cross paths in the Champions League.
Back In The England Setup For Good?
Ironically enough, right around the same time Kvaratskhelia named Trent as the toughest defender he's ever faced, Thomas Tuchel has named the Liverpool native in the England squad for the international break. He's officially listed as a defender in the squad, though he has played midfield for Real Madrid this season, a position he would often tactically step into on Merseyside under Jürgen Klopp.
He'll be looking to have a much better season in Spain this time around after it wasn't exactly his best maiden season last campaign after making the move from Anfield in 2025.
