Ally McCoist has praised Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo for his remarkable transformation this season under new manager Enzo Maresca.
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After a lackluster debut campaign following his £115m move from Brighton, Caicedo has looked like a completely different player, according to McCoist.
The 23-year-old, who was initially criticized for his underperformance at Stamford Bridge, has been pivotal for Chelsea this season, starting every Premier League match and helping the Blues surge to third place in the table.
McCoist, who had previously voiced disappointment with Caicedo’s form last season, was full of praise this time around, not only for the player’s improvement but also for the team’s midfield balance, which he says has drastically changed. He also commended the partnership between Caicedo and fellow summer signing Romeo Lavia.
‘Moises Caicedo has looked like a completely different player this season, he looks like a different human being,’ McCoist said on talkSPORT Bet. He added that Lavia has also been exceptional, and Chelsea’s midfield now looks balanced and motivated.
McCoist acknowledged Caicedo’s ability, which was evident during his time at Brighton, but he was unable to showcase it last season. With improved form, however, McCoist believes the credit goes not just to Caicedo but also to Maresca, who has instilled confidence and tactical structure in the team.
Chelsea recently demonstrated their progress with a dominant 3-0 win over Aston Villa, keeping them level on points with second-placed Arsenal. However, Maresca, despite the positive results, remains cautious about his team’s readiness to challenge the top clubs, such as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
‘We’re not ready to compete with Arsenal, Liverpool, and City for many reasons,’ Maresca said after the win against Villa. He emphasized the team’s improvements but acknowledged they still have a lot of ground to cover.
Maresca highlighted that while Chelsea is making strides, many of their players still lack the experience of competing in high-stakes finals, unlike their rivals at the top of the table. But with continuous improvement, Chelsea may soon be ready to challenge for the top positions in the league
