Moises Caicedo joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for a record fee of £115 million, putting a lot of pressure on the Ecuadorese star. The midfielder's first season at Stamford Bridge in 2001 was not smooth as he made some personal mistakes that caused the team to get unfavorable results.
However, since the second half of last season, Caicedo has gradually integrated, ignored mistakes and focused on playing. The 23-year-old showed stable form and ended the season with a beautiful goal against Bournemouth, marking a clear improvement.
In the 2024-2025 season, with Enzo Maresca replacing Pochettino, Caicedo will be used as a classic defensive midfielder (number 6) in the team's tactical system. He became the center of every proposed plan, playing a key role in preventing counter-attacks and was also the initiator of attacks from home.
No player in the Chelsea squad has played more minutes in the Premier League than Moises Caicedo. He and Cole Palmer are the only two players to start in all 20 of the tournament's matches. However, without Palmer, The Blues still have alternatives such as Christopher Nkunku or Joao Felix. As for Caicedo, the situation is completely opposite.
The evasion midfielder is the only player in the Chelsea squad capable of continuously making deep-lying and cutting the ball at high level. He leads the Premier League in defensive interventions (93 times), despite the Londoners often controlling the ball up to 58.2% of the game, second only to Man City. This further highlights Caicedo's ability to judge and read situations excellently.
Caicedo's performances are reminiscent of N'Golo Kante, whom he has always considered his idol. Although Caicedo's playing style is somewhat different, his ability to read the game quickly, move the ball well and cut the ball effectively is no less than Kante's peak. In addition, the former Brighton player is also capable of shifting from defense to impressive attack, typically the sharp passes that helped Nicolas Jackson score against West Ham and Liverpool.
Chelsea currently have no player capable of replacing Caicedo in a defensive midfield role. Romeo Lavia still lacks defensive experience to take on the role of sweeping in midfield. Enzo Fernandez is more suitable in the position of holding midfielder, while Cesare Casadei and Renato Veiga have only been tested in cup competitions.
Other options such as Andrey Santos or Lesley Ugochukwu, despite their prospects, are not ready to shoulder this heavy task. That makes Caicedo an indispensable piece in the Chelsea squad, a player who plays a role in connecting the entire tactical system of Enzo Maresca.
In fact, the Italian coach has admitted that Caicedo is among the world's top defensive midfielders, along with Rodri and Declan Rice. However, Maresca also understands the risks of relying too much on one player, especially in the context of a tight schedule that can affect the fitness of stars.
The Blues captain has cleverly eased Caicedo's burden by limiting his use in cup competitions such as the UEFA Conference League or FA Cup, only putting him on the pitch in important matches. This is to ensure that the Ecuador midfielder can maintain his best form in the decisive matches in the Premier League.
In the context of Chelsea competing for a top 4 spot in the Premier League, keeping Caicedo healthy and in shape will be a top priority for Enzo Maresca and the whole team. With talent and perseverance, the 23-year-old midfielder is not only a current star but also a bright future for the Stamford Bridge team.
