Chelsea’s midfield has experienced a significant transformation under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca, with Moises Caicedo emerging as a pivotal figure in their setup.
Also Read: Rodri Advocates for Man City to Sign Nico Williams
Caicedo, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in a blockbuster £115 million move from Brighton last year, faced challenges during his debut season under Mauricio Pochettino. However, under Maresca’s stewardship, the Ecuadorian international has developed into one of Chelsea’s standout performers.
Speaking about Caicedo’s progress, Maresca confidently placed him in the same category as Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Manchester City’s Rodri, two of the Premier League’s most revered midfielders.
“He is for sure now at that level, no doubt,” Maresca affirmed. “Unfortunately, Rodri is injured, but Declan is playing. I think Moises can sit at that table with that kind of midfielder.”
Chelsea’s evolution under Maresca extends beyond midfield dominance. The manager noted a decreasing reliance on Cole Palmer, as the team builds a more cohesive and varied attacking approach.
“We are very happy,” Maresca said. “If you remember in my first press conference, I mentioned that we cannot rely on Cole for every game because it’s not fair to him. We work every day to create scenarios where players can shine.”
Highlighting the team’s adaptability, Maresca explained: “We move Cole from the right side to the left side or from one position to another to maximize his impact. The attacking players, including Noni, Pedro, Mischa [Mudryk], Jadon, Enzo, Joao, Nico, and Christo, are all contributing well.”
Chelsea’s blend of tactical adjustments and individual brilliance under Maresca points to a bright future as the team continues to gel and progress.