John Obi Mikel recently shared his thoughts on Moises Caicedo’s development at Chelsea, expressing that the Ecuadorian midfielder is beginning to meet the high expectations set for him and could even emerge as a future captain.
Chelsea caused a stir last summer by investing £100 million to secure Caicedo’s services, but his initial season at the club was difficult.
The 22-year-old struggled with consistency, and Chelsea only managed a sixth-place finish under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership.
Caicedo’s first year at Stamford Bridge was marked by mistakes and uneven performances, leading some to question whether the hefty price tag was justified.
However, since Enzo Maresca took over as head coach, Caicedo has shown significant improvement.
His confidence and form have both seen a revival, and his recent display in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Ham was considered his best performance since joining the club.
In that match at the London Stadium, although Nicolas Jackson was the standout with two goals and an assist to Cole Palmer, Caicedo’s impact was equally vital.
If not for Jackson’s stellar performance, Caicedo might have been named man of the match.
His efforts were marked by tireless running, accurate passing, and solid defensive work—reminiscent of his days at Brighton, where he was highly regarded.
With Chelsea’s upcoming Carabao Cup match against Barrow, Maresca might consider resting Caicedo, particularly after his commanding display against West Ham.
Reflecting on Caicedo’s recent progress on his podcast, The Obi One, Mikel stated, “He was all over the pitch. His start at Chelsea wasn’t easy—he made mistakes, and people began to doubt whether he was worth the investment.
But now we’re beginning to see the player we knew at Brighton, the one who could control a game with his energy and skill.”
Mikel went on to emphasize that Caicedo is finally showing the qualities that made him such a sought-after player, saying, “This is the Caicedo we all knew from Brighton.
He’s playing with confidence, taking charge of his role in the team. It’s like he’s saying, ‘This is my team, and I belong here.’”
The former Chelsea midfielder also compared Caicedo to N’Golo Kante, highlighting the Ecuadorian’s humility and work ethic. “Moises has no ego.
He was exceptional on Saturday, covering every inch of the field, breaking up play, and connecting passes.
He’s become a key figure in the team, and his performances now reflect that.”
Mikel also acknowledged the influence of Maresca in Caicedo’s resurgence, noting the manager’s role in restoring the midfielder’s confidence.
“It’s clear that both Caicedo and Maresca have put in the work to rebuild that confidence, and now it’s paying off,” Mikel added.
He even speculated that Caicedo could one day be captain, saying, “I believe he has the qualities to possibly become Chelsea’s future captain.”
In addition to praising Caicedo, Mikel commended the depth and quality of the current Chelsea squad.
He pointed out that the team maintains its momentum even when substitutions are made, a testament to the strong squad Maresca has assembled.
“The team is full of quality, not just the starters but also the players coming off the bench. When changes are made, the quality doesn’t drop—it often improves.
That’s something we’ve needed, and now we’re finally seeing it,” Mikel observed.
He also highlighted Maresca’s tactical influence and the way Chelsea has been performing under his guidance. “Maresca is doing a fantastic job.
The way we control games, both with and without the ball, is impressive. Everything is coming together, and it’s clear on the pitch.”
Mikel concluded with optimism, saying, “It’s a pleasure to watch Chelsea right now. As a fan, it’s refreshing to see us play with such confidence and cohesion. The future looks bright for this team.”
