Manchester United v Athletic Club - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea issued a telling response after Paul Scholes’ comments about midfielder Moises Caicedo caused a stir on social media.
After a mixed first season at Stamford Bridge, Caicedo has grown into his role at Chelsea, featuring in all 38 Premier League games and thriving in Enzo Maresca’s side.
The Ecuadorian international was deservedly crowned Chelsea’s Player of the Year, having helped guide the club back to the Champions League as well as scoring in the final of their Conference League win over Real Betis.
But not everyone was convinced with Caicedo’s impact for the Blues this season, most notably former Manchester United midfielder Scholes.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap with SkyBet, Scholes said: ‘I think a lot of people talk about Caicedo. “He’s played 38 games”. Brilliant, what an achievement.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
‘But was there much quality? Did he create a lot? Did he control a lot of games for Chelsea? I don’t remember that.
‘I think there’s an era now, with midfielders especially, where you can go through seasons and games without really contributing.’
Moises Caicedo of Chelsea kisses the trophy during the
Moises Caicedo has enjoyed a great season with Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Many fans on social media were surprised by Scholes’ comments, and it appears even Chelsea were keen to issue a rebuttal.
Posting on the club’s X account, the Blues posted a thread of statistics highlighting that Caicedo had made the most appearances (38) and won the most tackles (114) of any Chelsea player in the Premier League last season.
Only four players made more tackles than Caicedo in the league last campaign, with Marc Cucurella the next best in a Chelsea shirt with 67.
‘One of the worst bits of punditry I’ve ever seen’
Chelsea End of Season Awards
Moises Caicedo won Chelsea’s Player of the Year award (Picture: Getty)
Some fans on social media were less cryptic with their rebutals towards Scholes for his comments.
‘This is genuinely one of the worst bits of punditry I’ve ever seen. And if Paul Scholes has said this he quite simply doesn’t watch much football,’ one user wrote on X.
Another added: ‘You can’t watch Chelsea’s games, and do even a 30-second stat check, and think Moises Caicedo that was a star for Brighton, and now Chelsea doesn’t “contribute a lot”. The eye test doesn’t lie. The stats don’t lie. He’s wrong’.
Even Caicedo’s fellow teammates have been vocal with their praise about his consistent levels of performance this season.
‘He’s a machine. From the start of the season, he has been our best player,’ Cole Palmer told Sky Sports last month.
‘Wins the ball back all the time. Always 100 per cent everyday. Humble, nice to everyone and everyone loves him.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: John Obi Mikel backs Chelsea to sign two Man Utd stars and build Europe’s best young squad
MORE: Chelsea respond to AC Milan transfer request for Mike Maignan
MORE: Ian Wright says he ‘would love’ Arsenal to sign £22m former Everton midfielder