Chelsea's Moises Caicedo Faces Suspension, Team Prepares for Upcoming Matches
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca recognizes the significance of Moises Caicedo.
Maresca has included the Ecuadorian midfielder in the starting lineup for 50 of his 51 Premier League matches at Chelsea. However, following a red card in the recent 1-1 draw against Arsenal, Caicedo is set to miss three upcoming matches — against Leeds on Wednesday, and against Bournemouth and Everton.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Maresca emphasized Caicedo's importance, likening him to star attacker Cole Palmer. "We are a better team with Cole, we are a better team with Moi," he stated.
Caicedo has been a pivotal player for Chelsea this season. His late return from international duty in South America was the only reason he did not start in the Blues' 2-0 victory over Burnley after the November international break.
When asked by BBC Sport about the possibility of winning without his key midfielder, Maresca joked, "I won't do it any more. This is the last time!" While he may have been lighthearted, there is a kernel of truth in his words.
Caicedo was awarded both the Players' Player and Fans' Player of the Season for Chelsea in 2024-25 and is regarded by his manager as one of the top two defensive midfielders globally, alongside Manchester City's Rodri.
Statistics from football data provider Opta support this assessment:
No midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues has made more tackles (28) or interceptions (18) this season than Caicedo.
His 28 tackles account for 23% of Chelsea's total, marking the second-highest ratio recorded for a player in a season since 2006-07.
Caicedo outperforms Arsenal's Declan Rice and Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch in both tackles and duel success rate (59%), both of whom are often considered among the league's elite midfielders.
Santos Prepared to Step In
Chelsea's primary alternative to Caicedo is Andrey Santos, who impressed during the victory against Burnley on November 22. "Andrey is ready," Maresca told BBC Sport. "His position is playing as a six, like Moi's position. He’s ready."
Maresca has also utilized Santos in more advanced roles. The 21-year-old is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge after a successful loan spell at partner club Strasbourg.
Santos, who has four caps for Brazil, joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama for £11 million nearly three years ago, before going on loan to Vasco, Nottingham Forest, and then Strasbourg. The French club is expected to become a key pathway for Chelsea's young talents in the coming seasons, as the club plans to send teenagers to Ligue 1 for 12-24 months to prepare them for the Premier League.
Santos expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, "I’m so happy to have been the first one. This season, there are a lot of quality players in Strasbourg, like Mamadou Sarr, Mike Penders, and Emanuel Emegha. It’s so important for us, for both clubs."
Other Options for Maresca
If Maresca needs additional alternatives, he has several options. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez , who played the full 90 minutes in all three of Chelsea's matches last week, can play a deeper role but lacks the physicality and tackling ability of Caicedo or Santos, making him vulnerable to being overrun.
Both Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia are currently sidelined due to injuries, with Lavia set to miss three games following a setback in training. Chelsea could also consider moving defenders into midfield, with Reece James as a primary option. The Chelsea captain played alongside Caicedo against Arsenal and earned man of the match honors for his outstanding performance. However, Maresca indicated that James is likely to be rested for the match against Leeds.
Malo Gusto and Josh Acheampong are also capable of filling midfield roles if needed.
Caicedo's Silver Lining
While Caicedo's absence poses a challenge for Maresca, it may also provide the 24-year-old with a much-needed rest before the busy festive period. Prior to the Arsenal match, Caicedo disclosed to the Daily Mail that he has been managing a knee issue. "I feel pain sometimes," he said. "But I’m not going to stop until I break. I never give up. I get used to playing like this."
According to BBC Sport, Caicedo has confided in close friends and family about feeling exhausted from his demanding schedule. The global players' union, FifPro, has identified him as one of the footballers facing an "unequal workload."
When asked if resting Caicedo, who played two full matches for Ecuador last month, could be seen as a silver lining to his suspension, Maresca responded, "It’s the positive part, yes. He’s playing almost every game... also with the international team. Probably this break will give him a little bit more rest. Next Tuesday, we have a Champions League game, so he’s going to be available for Atalanta. But it’s a chance for him also to recover energy and address the issue with his knee."