Gary Neville has praised Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo for his remarkable turnaround in form under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Caicedo, who joined Chelsea last year from Brighton in a record-breaking £115 million deal, struggled to adapt in his first season under Mauricio Pochettino. The 23-year-old often looked out of place, failing to justify his hefty price tag.
However, since Maresca’s arrival, the Ecuadorian international has undergone a dramatic transformation. Caicedo has cemented his place as a pivotal figure in Chelsea’s midfield, starting all 19 Premier League games this season.
His performances have drawn acclaim from pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, who both included him in their teams of the season so far.
Neville, a former Manchester United defender, highlighted Caicedo’s resilience after his challenging start at Stamford Bridge.
“He was fantastic at Brighton but looked awful when he first came to Chelsea,” Neville said. “That midfield partnership with Enzo Fernandez just didn’t work. But this season, he’s so much more settled.
“When he plays alongside Romeo Lavia, he performs well. Even with Enzo Fernandez back in the team recently, he’s looked outstanding. He’s finally become the player Chelsea thought they signed.”
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Morris said, “Caicedo has been better than Palmer this year. If we’re talking pure performance, I’ve not seen him have a bad game.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes Caicedo is now among the league’s elite holding midfielders, comparing him to players like Rodri and Declan Rice.
“He’s at that level, no doubt,” Maresca stated earlier this month. “He belongs at the table with those kinds of midfielders.”
Chelsea will aim to bounce back this weekend when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Caicedo’s form will undoubtedly be crucial as the Blues look to climb the Premier League table.