Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has praised Moises Caicedo for the start the midfielder has made to the season.
The Ecuadorian international initially struggled under the weight of the British record price tag that the Blues paid for the player last summer but Maresca says Caicedo is now playing without pressure:
“He is top player. He is very good but as all the top players, he can improve things and for sure he can improve. The way he is playing in this moment is fantastic.”
“About the price, it is not Moi’s problems. It is the market that sometimes decides the price. Most of the time because clubs pay a lot of money for players, we expect that kind of player will be always the best but it is not like this.”
Fans on X agree with Maresca’s remarks about Caicedo and they are hoping he maintains his newfound form:
Kante regen
— Kijana ya Hàzàrd (@Apostle_Kjna) September 27, 2024
Caicedo is a top player.
— UNCLE ENZO 🇳🇬 (@ibrahimnupe) September 27, 2024
Rolls Royce midfielder!
— adedolapo_1 (@Adekunleadedol9) September 27, 2024
Moises Caicedo has greatly improved. He has been integral part of our game since the start of the season.
— Abdihakim Keinan (@AbdihakimKeinan) September 27, 2024
I was hearing names like rodri
— Kamal(FAN) (@CFC_Kamal_) September 27, 2024
Chelsea engine
— Solomon Adusei Peprah (@Curtis_peprah) September 27, 2024
Caicedo is far ahead of all midfielders.
— Anti-simp (@mongsdan) September 27, 2024
Caicedo looks a lot more comfortable
There is no doubt that the 22-year-old is playing with a lot more freedom this season. At points last campaign, it looked like he was finding the expectations hard to manage.
It is important to remember that Caicedo is still very young so there will be ups and downs in his form. He is, though, a very talented player.
Chelsea have competition in midfield
Maresca has also confirmed that Romeo Lavia is back available for selection. The Belgian has been missing since the opening-day defeat to Manchester City due to a hamstring injury.
However, he will now compete with Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for starts in the middle of the park.
Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
