Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Whichever system Xabi Alonso uses this season, Moises Caicedo will be Chelsea’s first-choice midfielder.
However, who partners Caicedo in the middle is still up in the air. Reece James proved his completeness and versatility as a footballer on Saturday, shining in a midfield role in Chelsea’s 3-1 win against Real Sociedad, so he is an option.
Enzo Fernandez is still at Chelsea and if the club stick to their stance and do not sell the Argentine this summer after claiming that they would not after their 5pm deadline on Friday, then he is the No.1 contender.
Enzo Fernandez reaction on Chelsea return
Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP via Getty Images
Moises Caicedo would have loved Alexis Mac Allister reunion
One player who will definitely not be lining up alongside Caicedo in the middle of the park is his former teammate Alexis Mac Allister.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea were one club who were interested in signing the Liverpool star this summer and even made contact about a potential deal.
However, the same outlet claims that Liverpool and the player have rebuffed all interest, which will come as a boost to Andoni Iraola.
That will disappoint Caicedo, who would have relished the opportunity to link up with Mac Allister again.
The two played alongside each other at Brighton & Hove Albion and formed one of the best midfields in the Premier League at the time.
Brighton's Argentinian midfielder Alexis Mac Allister (R) celebrates with Brighton's Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo (L) on the pitch
Brighton's Argentinian midfielder Alexis Mac Allister (R) celebrates with Brighton's Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo (L) on the pitch
With Fernandez set to remain at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea probably do not need another high-profile midfielder like Mac Allister. However, he would have been the perfect addition to Xabi Alonso’s squad and a great partner for Caicedo.
Mac Allister gets up and down the pitch much better than Fernandez does. He is more mobile than his Argentina teammate and presses very well, although that is also something that Fernandez can do.
READ MORE:What another Chelsea bid for Alex Scott could mean for Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo
At 27, Mac Allister would have also brought the kind of experience Chelsea have been looking for this summer.
Technically, the former Brighton man is nowhere near as good as Fernandez. But he perhaps could have offered Caicedo more protection and complemented him a bit more.