As many have, former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has acknowledged that Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer are two of his old side’s most important players.
It was clear to see Caicedo’s value in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday.
The midfielder played a key role in the Blues’ winning goal, regaining possession before teeing up Joao Pedro.
Caicedo left Cundy in awe with his latest performance, and it now looks like he rates him even higher than Palmer.
Micheal Ballack, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole talk to Jason Cundy at the Chelsea FC Annual Lunch
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Jason Cundy thinks Moises Caicedo is more important to Chelsea than Cole Palmer
Palmer has been Chelsea’s match-winner time and again, and for Cundy, there is no doubt that he is the team’s best attacker.
However, the former Premier League centre-back believes Caicedo is now the player Enzo Maresca’s side cannot live without.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s Inside Chelsea show, Cundy said: “He’s the most important player for Chelsea. Yes, Cole Palmer… there’s no doubt he’s the most creative offensive player. He’s the difference maker, but Moises Caicedo is the heartbeat of that football club right now.”
Unfortunately for Palmer, he has not really had too many opportunities to shine this season because of an ongoing groin issue.
However, Maresca is optimistic that Palmer will be back soon and hopefully fit enough to play against Barcelona at the end of the month.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo vs PSG's Ousmane Dembele
Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
Why Cole Palmer is still Chelsea’s most important player
Chelsea fans should not be too quick to forget about Palmer’s impact and what he is capable of doing on a football pitch.
It was only in September when he scored against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and had it not been for a close offside, the attacking midfielder would have had two.
Since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023, Palmer has scored 45 goals and provided 29 assists in 101 appearances, according to Transfermarkt.
It may be a cliché, but goals win you games, and that is exactly what Palmer’s have done. His brace in the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain is a perfect example.
For as good as Caicedo has been this term, success is likely to come down to what Palmer and Chelsea’s other attackers do at the top end of the pitch. He is still the Blues’ most important and influential player, though Caicedo is a close second and really pushing him right now.