Claude Makelele says that Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has what it takes to become the best midfielder in the world, but he needs to improve his leadership skills to earn the title. The Blues great praised the Ecuadorian’s profile but stressed that consistency and responsibility are what matter most at Stamford Bridge.
In August 2023, Caicedo joined Chelsea and became the team’s first-choice midfielder last season, playing in 48 of 51 matches across all competitions. He is a reliable passer and a high-usage ball-winner at the base of midfield.
Speaking about Caicedo, Makelele said:
“He can be the best but there are many, many, many good midfielders. He’s a young boy and I like him a lot. Does he look like me? Yes! But he’s not me, he’s different and can progress because he has a lot of talent, space and time on his side. At the beginning, it was the same with N’Golo Kante, I spoke with him also about his leadership.
“Leadership means to demonstrate you are the best player at Chelsea, you’re the one that when you’re not there, the team is struggling. It makes you understand responsibility and the importance of setting the example at the training ground.”
Makelele continued:
“You need to start every match strong and win the team games, even when you lose a game, you make the team stronger and win the next one. When he passes this level, then we can start talking about him as the best midfielder in the world.”
Makelele’s position is similar to what he said in recent interviews, where he praised Caicedo’s humility and growth while calling for more authority on the field. The Blues also expect Caicedo to set the standard for possession, pressing, and game management.
Enzo Maresca speaks about Moises Caicedo
Enzo Maresca has publicly praised Moises Caicedo, saying that the Ecuadorian international is one of the best players in his position in the 2025-26 season. Maresca’s most recent evaluation came after the 1-0 victory over Tottenham, when Caicedo made the key turnover that led to the goal.
In May, the midfielder was named Chelsea’s Player of the Season. He has kept up his good play in the new season, and the staff have praised him for being a good example and making his role clear. After the Spurs game, Maresca said:
“I think he’s showing how good he is. He’s top, I said many times, the best thing from Moi for sure, we judge him inside the pitch, but he’s so humble, he’s such a good guy. He’s always there to help everyone… At this moment, I think him with Rodri, they are the two best defensive midfielders probably in the world.”