Chelsea duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are easily two of the best midfielders in the Premier League right now.
In Caicedo, Chelsea may actually possess the best midfielder outright. The 24-year-old has looked like the complete footballer this season, scoring goals for Enzo Maresca’s side and also preventing them.
Andrey Santos has been in awe of Caicedo and Fernandez, and it is easy to see why.
They could surpass a couple of their predecessors but not until winning at least one Premier League title.
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League
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Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez a more complete midfield pairing than N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic
In the 2016/17 Premier League season, Chelsea came first with a midfield pairing of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic. They were an unreal partnership, but the combo of Caicedo and Fernandez has more quality and looks way more complete.
The only thing that Caicedo and Fernandez are missing now is an English league title. If they can get their hands on that, the South American duo would have surpassed Kante and Matic as a pairing.
Honestly, right now, there is not much separating Caicedo and Kante in his prime. Like the Frenchman, Caicedo has been a ball-winning machine in the Premier League this term.
According to WhoScored, he is making 3.1 tackles per game, which is only slightly lower than Kante’s average of 3.6 in Chelsea’s last title-winning campaign. When it comes to interceptions, the Ecuadorian just edges the former Chelsea midfielder with an average of 2.4 to 2.3. It really is that close.
Going forward, though, Caicedo is clearly offering more than what Kante did eight years ago.
The 24-year-old has already scored three league goals this season, including two incredible strikes against Liverpool and Brentford. Had Chelsea defended one long throw a bit better, his goal away at Brentford would have been the winner. In contrast, Kante only netted once en route to the Blues’ 2016/17 title success.
Of course, on the ball, Fernandez triumphs Caicedo, Kante and Matic, especially the Serbian, who was not much more than a destroyer. In terms of technical ability, you will struggle to find a better No.8 in the whole of England.
Fernandez can pass, receive and play some fabulous long balls when he is at the top of his game. And like Caicedo, he has also started to add goals to his repertoire.
He is also on three at present after scoring nine times in all competitions in the previous campaign, including in the Conference League final against Real Betis.
Ultimately, Chelsea’s double pivot of Caicedo and Fernandez can do it all, something that you could not say about Kante and Matic’s partnership despite how effective it was.
To be acknowledged like those two now, inside and outside of Chelsea, Caicedo and Fernandez just need a Premier League medal or two.
Manchester United v Chelsea - Premier League
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Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez one season away from title challenge
Chelsea do not actually look to be too far off from competing for first place in the English top flight. Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper David James thinks Enzo Maresca’s side can compete now.
At this moment in time, they sit third in the Premier League table, just six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Nevertheless, a title charge may come too soon for this very young and inexperienced Chelsea squad. But with a couple of additions next summer, there should be nothing stopping them from going for it in the 2026/27 campaign.
If Robert Sanchez can maintain the form that he is in or is replaced by a more consistent goalkeeper and Chelsea buy a dominant centre-back, a spine consisting of those two things, Caicedo, Fernandez and Cole Palmer may be enough to win the title.