FC Barcelona land in London with a name that raises eyebrows — and concerns — across Stamford Bridge: Marcus Rashford, a forward who has spent years turning every meeting with Chelsea into his personal hunting ground.
The Blaugrana arrive for Matchday 5 of the Champions League with an extra boost: the English striker has been medically cleared after missing the last league match against Athletic Club, and he’s returning right where he enjoys it the most… in England.

Rashford comes back with a Premier League memory still echoing loudly: his brace at St. James’ Park against Newcastle, decisive in Barça’s 2-1 win on their European debut. That match confirmed what the club already suspected — the Manchester United loanee fits perfectly in Hansi Flick’s project.
But it also reignited a narrative London knows way too well: when Rashford sees a blue shirt, something switches on.

A Rival Written Into His Personal History

In England they’ve said it for years: no British club has suffered more at the hands of Rashford than Chelsea.

The numbers tell the story. Across Manchester United, Aston Villa, and now Barcelona, Rashford has faced the London club 21 times, leaving his mark in many of them.

His tally is brutal: 6 goals and 5 assists — eleven direct goal contributions, the highest total he has recorded against any English side. That figure ties only his record versus Newcastle, another long-standing “client.”

One of the most iconic chapters came on October 30, 2019, in the Carabao Cup. That night at Stamford Bridge, Rashford delivered a legendary performance: he scored a penalty and later blasted a stunning knuckleball free-kick from over 30 meters — one of the best strikes of his career — to knock Chelsea out.

And the story didn’t stop there. In his last meeting with Chelsea before joining Barça, wearing Aston Villa’s shirt, he delivered two assists for Marco Asensio, sealing a crucial win in Birmingham.

Barça Are Getting His Best Version: The Numbers Speak for Themselves

At 28 years old, Rashford is shining in his first adventure outside England.
Across 16 official matches, he has 6 goals and 9 assists, with his Champions League form standing out above everything else: 4 goals and 2 assists in just 4 games.

He hasn’t dropped his level in LaLiga either, registering 2 goals and 7 assists in 12 appearances. His impact has strengthened the confidence of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who sees him as a key piece for Euro 2026.

Now, with Stamford Bridge as his next stage, the script almost writes itself. Rashford returns to a stadium where he has already left deep scars… and where Chelsea know that one mistake can quickly turn into another painful memory.

Barça arrive with pressure and doubts — but Rashford arrives with a history that backs every touch he makes. And in London, they’re fully aware: if anyone can break the game open, it’s him.