Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca couldn’t stop praising Moises Caicedo after the midfielder’s dazzling display in the 1-0 win over Tottenham. The Ecuadorian dominated the pitch in North London, proving once again why he’s worth every bit of his £115 million transfer fee.
Maresca’s glowing praise for Caicedo
Speaking after the victory, Maresca said Caicedo has reached an elite level this season. “Moi, I think he’s showing how good he is. He’s top,” the Chelsea boss told reporters. “For me, him and Rodri are the two best defensive midfielders in the world.”
Moreover, Maresca wasn’t done with the plaudits and praised Caicedo the man for being humble and hardworking. The central midfielder has become key to Chelsea’s midfield at age 24, offering the Blues control, balance, and bite.. His ball recovery and tackling were essentials at home to Spurs, and his leadership blossoms under Maresca.
Caicedo’s development has been rapid. After a rocky start last season, he’s now dictating games and shielding Chelsea’s backline with authority. Saturday’s win marked another step in his resurgence as he controlled tempo, intercepted passes, and broke down Tottenham’s attacks with ease.
Pundits echo Maresca’s admiration
Jamie Redknapp joined the chorus of praise, calling Caicedo “world-class” on Sky Sports. “Right now, he’s the best of his type in world football,” Redknapp said. “The way he covers ground and makes smart passes is phenomenal. Defenders must love playing behind him.”
He compared the Ecuadorian to Chelsea legends like N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele, claiming Caicedo has already entered that conversation. The Ecuadorian has already made his 14th appearance across comps this season and registered his fourth goal already – it’s his most fruitful campaign so far.
Author’s opinion
Caicedo has silenced every doubt this season. His confidence, energy, and precision have made him the heartbeat of Maresca’s Chelsea. If he maintains this form, the “top two” tag alongside Rodri may soon become undisputed truth.
As featured on Chelseanews.com