Caicedo became the best central midfielder in the league

Adrian Clarke looks at the key tactical points and players who could make the difference in Game 11.

Player Analysis: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s vastly improved form this season owes much to Caicedo’s skill.

The 23-year-old has taken time to settle into Stamford Bridge following his big-money move from The Bridge. Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023.

However, on current form, Caicedo is the best central midfielder in the country.

Together with a new partner Romeo LaviaThe Ecuadorian has excelled in his last three matches against Liverpool, Newcastle United And Manchester United.

He is in top form ahead of Sunday’s home derby against Arsenal.

Best Tackle Player

Caicedo won the ball brilliantly in the 2024/25 season.

Playing on the right flank of a central midfield pairing, his fighting qualities were crucial to his side’s finish in the top four.

He is the Premier League’s top midfielder for both tackles and wins, and is also highly rated for duels won, mid-third tackles and interceptions.

Comparison with LPL 24/25 central midfielders

Caicedo 24/25	General	PL rank
The gear is done	35	= 1st
We won the selections	22	1st
Duels won	68	2nd
Interceptions	17	=3rd
Successful passes	464	5th place
Possession won middle third	26	=6th place

Caicedo is very effective when moving to the right flank, helping Chelsea’s defender and striker there.

He regularly breaks play close to the right flank and is quick to spot danger.

To Chelsea victory over Newcastle with a score of 2:1, he made five interceptions within two yards of the sideline.

Caicedo interceptions against Newcastle

Arsenal will have to be careful about choosing the right type of pass when they play from the back and move the ball into the midfield.

Caicedo is always on the front foot, looking for opportunities to win the ball and is great at getting forward to frustrate opponents.

The Ecuadorian is the catalyst for many of Chelsea’s attacks as he often regains possession above the halfway line.

This defensive zone chart from his last three Premier League appearances shows the part of the pitch where he has been so dominant.

Accurate pass

Caicedo is not just a midfield destroyer, he can also hurt opponents with his distribution.

The former Brighton man makes a lot of progressive passes forward and has developed a great rapport with the players. Nicholas Jackson.

With time and space to look up, Caicedo made two excellent passes behind West Ham United and the Liverpool defense to assist Jackson, the Senegalese striker.

It’s not easy to disturb Arsenal’s excellent centre-back duo. Gabriel Magalhães And William Salibabut Jackson has the pace to test them if Caicedo picks him with the right pass.

The Gunners will have to work hard to overload his space, forcing Caicedo to lean to the side or back.

More than just a deterrent player

While it is his defensive acumen, ability to read the game and ability to resist pressure while in possession that sets Caicedo apart from other defensive midfielders, he cannot be seen as a metronome prop.

Capable of breaking through lines with his dribbling or playing through teams with his quality, the 23-year-old also completes far more successful passes in the final third than anyone else in the Enzo Marescasquad.

Chelsea 2024/25 – Successful passes into the final third

Player	Pass number
Moises Caicedo	120
Cole Palmer	105
Enzo Fernandez	94
Malo Gusto	80
Noni Madueke	62

These numbers are even more impressive when you consider that Caicedo’s role under Maresque was more structured and disciplined than under Maresque. Mauricio Pochettinowhere he had more rights to fly forward.

By moving Chelsea’s full-backs into midfield, Maresca’s style of play also means Caicedo makes fewer successful passes per match (47.13) than under Pochettino (59.67), but his contribution has actually been more valuable.

Caicedo outperforms Rice

When Arsenal were looking for a top quality central midfielder in 2022 and 2023, Caicedo’s name was strongly associated with Mikel Artetaside.

They eventually broke their own transfer record by signing from West Ham. Declan Rice for a fee of £100 million.

The England international was excellent last season but has not reached the same heights this campaign.

Bouncing between a box-to-box role on the left flank and a holding position in defence, Rice has yet to find his groove.

This 2024-25 player chart shows Caicedo outperforming Rice by a significant margin in his first 10 games.

Last season, it was Rice who had the upper hand in many aspects of the game.

The comparison shows how much the Chelsea star has improved under Maresca.

A duel in the future?

If Rice recovers from the leg injury that kept him out of the UEFA Champions League clash with Inter Milan in midweek, he could face Caicedo head-to-head this Sunday.

Thomas Partey switched from right-back to his usual central midfield role in the match against Inter with Mikel Merino.

If Rice is available and selected against Chelsea, he will be able to operate from left of center, playing from box to box. Later at St James’ Park he looked more comfortable in that position and almost scored twice in the second half.

If Martin Odegaard has also returned to the starting line-up following his long-awaited return to the squad as a substitute in Milan, a form that is even more likely as Arteta reverts to a 4-3-3 formation.

Based on their form this season, Caicedo may have the edge over Rice in the midfield battlefield.