The Blues are expected to lose the renowned Frenchman this summer but Brighton's midfield dynamo would be more than an able replacement
"N'Golo Kante [is my idol]. I like the way Kante plays because he pressures a lot. I learn every day when I watch him. I think it helps watching these top players if you want to carry on improving."
Those were the words of a 19-year-old Moises Caicedo when he became a Brighton player back in 2021, and it seems he must have been watching a lot of the Frenchman in the two years since. After a meteoric rise to prominence on the south coast, he is ready to step into his idol's rather big boots at Stamford Bridge as Kante prepares to head for the riches of Saudi Arabia.
Despite a harrowing 2022-23 season in which they failed to qualify for any form of European football, Chelsea lead the race for the coveted Ecuadorian's signature ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool. Like his reputation, Caicedo's price tag has soared since he arrived in England for just £4.3 million ($5.5m), but GOAL explains why Chelsea should be breaking the bank (again) to land him…
Getty ImagesChelsea need an injury-free No.6
Having seen his involvement diminish in recent seasons as a result of worsening fitness issues, Kante's time at Chelsea is set to come to a sad and abrupt end.
His problems reached their nadir in 2022-23 following a serious hamstring injury in August , as the France international made just nine appearances in all competitions, totalling just 685 minutes.
His presence was felt as keenly as his absence, with Kante a transformative force in those games he was fit for late in the season, while Chelsea's lack of an out-and-out defensive midfielder was often exploited as they slid down the Premier League table during his spell on the sidelines.
By contrast, Caicedo has been a near ever-present for Brighton since making his breakthrough for the Seagulls, with a muscle tear way back in 2020 the most serious injury of his career to date.
AdvertisementGettySouth American synergy
This is a transfer that creates the potential for a South American symbiosis at Stamford Bridge; Argentine Mauricio Pochettino has been installed in the dugout, and Chelsea signed his compatriot and their primary midfield target, Enzo Fernandez, in January, following a brief flirtation with second-choice Caicedo.
It's a triumvirate that should be mutually beneficial. Outgoing interim manager Frank Lampard revealed at the end of May that Enzo's English isn't the best, saying: "He doesn’t speak the language much at all, but he’s learning fast." Caicedo is still learning himself, and he has previously spoken about the importance of having Spanish speakers around him – both on the touchline and on the pitch.
“I’m getting to understand it [English], learning new words, new phrases all the time, but it’s been so important to have the Spanish-speaking guys here to help me. My English will only get better. I also watch as much English TV as I can, as that is helping," he said in 2022.
While they are learning the language away from the pitch, the ability to communicate in their native tongue on it cannot be underestimated in a position that requires constant talk. Meanwhile, Pochettino will be able to get his ideas across to both players on the training ground and from the dugout.
GettyEnzo unlocked
One of the main benefits of Chelsea signing an elite-level No.6 would be unleashing Enzo Fernandez. The World Cup-winner barely put a foot wrong after his blockbuster move from Benfica, but it was evident that he was playing within himself in an attacking sense, conscious that he was also having to do the job of a defensive midfielder given Kante's absence and the deficiencies of some of his midfield team-mates.
While he was able to cut out passing lanes and occasionally regain possession in ground duels, Enzo was occasionally found wanting when defending one-v-one against players with more pace, infamously being left for dead by Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi in the Champions League last 16.
Indeed, Fernandez’s father, Raul, has revealed his son is relishing a more advanced role next season. “Enzo is comfortable, happy, and adjusting to London," he said. "He was happy about the arrival of Pochettino. Next season? My son wants to be a champion. I think [we will see Enzo play further forward]. He was going to ask [Pochettino] to play further forward.”
Getty ImagesPremier League-ready
It has been widely reported that Pochettino wants to build his Chelsea side on the foundations of a core of players with Premier League experience, and Caicedo obviously fits the bill.
After catching the eye of Brighton's famed scouting department during his time at Independiente del Valle in his home country in 2021, Caicedo required just six months of European football on loan at Beerschot in Belgium before adapting seamlessly to the rigours of the Premier League in April 2022.
In 2022-23, he ranked in the top five of Premier League midfielders (minimum 900 minutes) for both passes completed and tackles won. His passing accuracy was second only to Manchester City star Rodri among midfielders, and he was in the top 10 for interceptions, ball recoveries, duel success and passes into the final third.
He already looks like the complete defensive-minded midfield player, and his manager Roberto De Zerbi has seen that in him. “There are many players who are very good with the ball but without it, in defensive spaces, are not so good,” he said. “Others in the defensive space are top but with the ball there are some problems. With Caicedo, I don't see anything not at the top level.”