John Obi Mikel has shared his thoughts on Moises Caicedo’s recent performances at Chelsea, expressing that the Ecuadorian midfielder is finally beginning to meet the high expectations placed upon him after his big-money transfer.
Mikel believes that, given Caicedo’s current form, he has the potential to become a future captain at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea made headlines last summer when they signed Caicedo for a staggering £100 million, but his first season was a tough one, marked by inconsistency as Chelsea struggled to a sixth-place finish under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Caicedo’s debut season was rocky, with frequent mistakes leading to doubts about his hefty transfer fee.
However, since the appointment of Enzo Maresca as Chelsea’s head coach, Caicedo’s confidence and form have seen a remarkable improvement.
In a recent 3-0 victory against West Ham, Caicedo delivered what many consider his best performance in a Chelsea shirt.
Although his teammate Nicolas Jackson stole the spotlight with two goals and an assist, Caicedo’s impact was equally significant.
His performance was characterized by relentless running, accurate passing, and crucial interceptions—a return to the form that made him a star at Brighton.
As Chelsea prepare for their next fixture against Brighton, there is speculation that Caicedo may be rested for the Carabao Cup match after his tireless display against West Ham.
Mikel, discussing Caicedo’s progress on his podcast, *The Obi One*, commented on the midfielder’s resurgence.
He acknowledged Caicedo’s difficult start at Chelsea but emphasized that the player is now beginning to demonstrate why he was so highly regarded at Brighton.
“We’re starting to see the player we knew from Brighton, the one who dominated games with his energy and skill,” Mikel said.
Mikel also drew comparisons between Caicedo and former Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, praising Caicedo’s humility and work ethic.
He noted that there is no ego in Caicedo’s game, highlighting how he covers every inch of the pitch and is becoming essential to Chelsea’s midfield.
According to Mikel, Caicedo is playing with newfound confidence and a sense of belonging at the club, contributing to Chelsea’s success.
While Caicedo’s turnaround is largely due to his own hard work, Mikel also credited Maresca for rebuilding the young midfielder’s confidence.
He believes that the combination of Maresca’s management and Caicedo’s dedication is starting to pay off, and he even speculated that Caicedo could be a future captain for Chelsea.
“He has the qualities to possibly be a future captain of this club,” Mikel remarked.
In addition to praising Caicedo, Mikel was impressed by the overall depth and quality of Chelsea’s current squad.
He pointed out that the team’s performance doesn’t drop when substitutions are made, which reflects the strength of the entire squad.
Mikel also lauded Maresca’s tactical approach, stating that Chelsea’s control of games under his leadership is impressive.
He concluded by expressing optimism for the future, stating that Chelsea’s style of play is now a joy to watch, and he feels proud of the direction the team is heading in.