Former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has shared his insights on Moises Caicedo following Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 victory over West Ham. Obi believes that the 22-year-old Ecuadorian is finally living up to expectations as an elite defensive midfielder, showcasing his leadership qualities after a challenging debut season.
After Chelsea broke the British transfer record to sign Caicedo for £100 million in 2023, the young midfielder struggled to find his rhythm under manager Mauricio Pochettino. However, since Enzo Maresca took charge, Caicedo appears to have regained his form, delivering a standout performance in the recent match against West Ham.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel Obi remarked on Caicedo’s journey, stating, “He didn’t start his Chelsea career well. A few games into his Chelsea career there were lots of mistakes, and everyone was thinking, ‘Why did we pay so much money for this guy?’”
He praised Caicedo’s display against West Ham, adding, “Now we can see those performances that he was putting in at Brighton. He’s a fantastic player; he was everywhere on Saturday—breaking up play, linking up, passing, everything.”
Obi also credited Maresca for instilling confidence in Caicedo, suggesting that this belief is reflected in the midfielder’s performances. He expressed optimism about Caicedo’s future at Chelsea, stating, “This is a guy that I think will eventually go on to maybe captain the club.”
With Caicedo’s resurgence, Chelsea fans have reason to feel hopeful about the midfielder’s contributions as the team aims for success in the Premier League and beyond.