Enzo Maresca will be without Moises Caicedo when Chelsea face Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
As a result of his red card against Arsenal, Caicedo will also miss games versus Bournemouth and Everton.
In his absence, Josh Acheampong could step into midfield, though Andrey Santos seems like the more likely option.
What made Chelsea vs Leeds such a fierce rivalry?
“Part of the rivalry was definitely the north-south divide. We were the gritty Yorkshire team and they were the fashionable boys from the Kings Road. Both teams were full of terrific players and a few feisty characters. It got personal during the games.”
Eddie Gray (Leeds 1966-83)
“We knew they were aggrieved. After that it turned into a great rivalry between two very good sides. There was no love lost and the the best example I can give of that was the 1970 FA Cup final – especially the first game, which was one of the fiercest matches I have played in. Nobody held back.”
Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris (Chelsea 1962-80)
“They didn’t intimidate us. That’s why they hated us. There was no other club on the planet we would enjoy beating so much.”
Peter Osgood (Chelsea 1964-74)
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It is a blow for Chelsea, yet Maresca appears to have found one positive from Caicedo’s three-game ban.
Moises Caicedo of Chelsea is greeted by his manager Enzo Maresca, as he walks off the pitch after being shown a red card
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca thinks Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo will benefit from enforced rest
Caicedo has played a lot of football for both Chelsea and the Ecuador national team, but he will get a bit of a breather now following his suspension. According to Maresca, that is a good thing.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, which has been shared by Chelsea’s official club website, the Italian said: “This break will give him a little bit more rest because he is playing every game, also with the international team. That is the positive part.
“Next Tuesday he will be available to play Atalanta, so one game in one week, but it’s a chance for him to recover energy and to recover from his knee problem.”
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This season, Caicedo has only missed one game in the Premier League, which was his side’s 2-0 win against Burnley.
Santos deputised for Caicedo that day and did an excellent job. It means Maresca can have confidence in him ahead of the trip to Elland Road.
Enzo Maresca head coach of Chelsea F.C. celebrates with Moises Caicedo
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Maresca is not wrong to suggest that Caicedo is being overused. Therefore, this three-match ban really could end up benefitting the 24-year-old.
This term, Caicedo has already played 18 games and 1,389 minutes in total. Last season, he made 50 appearances.
Moises Caicedo’s Chelsea record Appearances Minutes
2025/26 18 1,389
2024/25 50 4,289
2023/24 48 3,899
Total 116 9,577
Via Transfermarkt
Ultimately, over the last few seasons, Caicedo has played a lot of football, perhaps even too much. The above does not even include the caps he has earned for Ecuador.
As Maresca alluded to, the former Brighton & Hove Albion man has also been playing with a knee injury. Sitting out Chelsea’s next three league fixtures could do him a world of good.
The Club World Cup winners did not lose against Arsenal either, so maybe Caicedo’s sending off really could end up being a blessing in disguise. It never cost Chelsea in their London derby, and the Ecuador international now has time to rest.