Many Chelsea fans now compare Caicedo to past club legends like N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele.
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Chelsea earned a hard-fought 1-0 win against Manchester United on Friday night at Stamford Bridge in a game that could decide who qualifies for next season’s Champions League.
While defender Marc Cucurella scored the only goal, the real star of the show was Moises Caicedo—a midfielder whose performance even had rival fans impressed.
Caicedo Catches the Eye of Manchester United Fans
Moises Caicedo, a 23-year-old from Ecuador, played in the middle of the pitch and controlled much of the game.
He stopped Manchester United from creating chances, won the ball often, and passed accurately to his teammates.
Many Manchester United fans watching online admitted he was outstanding—even better than anything their team currently has.
Some fans shared messages like:
- “Caicedo is too good,” one fan wrote.
- “Chelsea have Caicedo, we have Ugarte. No surprise one club is on the up and the other is dead & buried,” one Man Utd supporter said.
- “Caicedo has absolutely bullied Bruno Fernandes,” another admitted.
- “Caicedo is everything we’re missing in midfield, bossing the midfield for Chelsea,” a frustrated supporter posted.
It’s rare for fans of one team to compliment a rival player so openly, but Caicedo’s performance made a big impact.
What the Stats Say
Here’s a breakdown of how Caicedo performed in the match:
- Played the full 90 minutes
- Completed 86% of his passes (50 out of 58)
- Made 3 successful tackles
- Recovered the ball 12 times
- Won 7 physical battles for the ball
- Received a match rating of 8.0 out of 10
In simpler terms, he helped stop Manchester United from attacking, gave the ball to his teammates efficiently, and worked hard defensively.
He did all the “dirty work” that many fans don’t notice, but that experts know is vital.
From Expensive Signing to Fan Favorite
Chelsea signed Caicedo last year for a huge £115 million, which made him one of the most expensive players ever.
His first season was difficult, and some people doubted whether he was worth the money.
But this year, he has proven himself. He’s played with confidence, strength, and skill in almost every game.
So far this season, Caicedo is the only player in the Premier League to achieve all of the following:
- Win over 200 physical challenges for the ball
- Recover the ball over 200 times
- Make over 100 tackles
These are outstanding numbers for a defensive midfielder—someone whose main job is to break up the other team’s attacks and protect their own defenders.
Chelsea’s Champions League Hopes
Chelsea’s win moved them up to fourth place in the Premier League table.
That’s important because the top five teams will qualify for next season’s Champions League—a tournament for Europe’s best clubs.
Chelsea’s final game of the season is against Nottingham Forest, and if they win, they’ll no doubt qualify.
Even if they don’t make it, the club’s owners have said they will keep coach Enzo Maresca next season, showing they believe in the team’s progress.
Caicedo’s Growing Reputation
After the match, former footballer and TV expert Jamie Redknapp said Caicedo looked like a “world-class player.”
That’s high praise, especially when it comes from a neutral observer.
Many Chelsea fans now compare him to past club legends like N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele—two players who were famous for doing the same kind of hard work Caicedo is doing now.
Moises Caicedo may not be a regular goal scorer or the flashiest player on the field, but against Manchester United, he proved why he’s one of Chelsea’s most important players.
