Chelsea are in negotiations with Brighton to purchase Moises Caicedo, with a fee in excess of £110 million being discussed by the clubs, according to Fabrizio Romano. The midfielder had been set to complete a medical at Liverpool, however in a shock twist, he informed the club that he intended to move to Stamford Bridge.
Brighton and Ecuador teammate Pervis Estupinan labelled Caicedo as an “exceptional” player during the Seagulls 2022/23 season, and hailed his ‘spectacular characteristics’.
Chelsea Set to Pay Huge Fee for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo
Brighton Midfielder Rejected Liverpool in Shock Twist
The young midfielder appeared set to join Liverpool on Friday morning following David Ornstein’s report of a Premier League record £110 million transfer. A medical had been booked in Merseyside for the 21-year-old and while personal terms had not been agreed, they were expected to be a formality.
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In a shocking twist, the defensive midfielder revealed that he had a clear preference to move to West London and was content with waiting for Mauricio Pochettino’s side to match Liverpool’s bid. It is understood that Chelsea’s advantage in the deal was that they had agreed personal terms with the player at the end of May.
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Romano’s report confirms that Chelsea are eager to bring the player to Stamford Bridge for Sunday’s game against Liverpool, where there will undoubtedly be bad blood between the two sides. A completed deal for Caicedo will undoubtedly help to rally the London crowd for what is certain to be a tough game for Pochettino’s side.
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What Does Moises Caicedo Offer Chelsea
Many fans will wonder why clubs have been willing to offer such incredible fees for a player with only 45 matches worth of experience in the Premier League. However, the central midfielder is an incredibly exciting prospect and has many physical and mental traits that are incredibly difficult to teach.
The Ecuadorian is exceptionally versatile and can perform at a high level in multiple positions. Primarily a defensive midfielder, he can also be used as a number eight, playing higher up the pitch to utilise his incredible vision by making vertical passes that break the opposition’s defensive lines. His exceptional close control allows him to carry the ball through a congested midfield and to help build up play.
He has, on occasion, been used to fill in at the full-back position, however, he is unlikely to be asked to play there if Reece James and Ben Chilwell are healthy.
Out of possession is where Caicedo stands out the most. He shows intelligence and wit in deciding when to counter-press the opposition. He presses in moments that reduce the risk of being beaten by forwards and increases the chance of winning the ball in dangerous areas. His combination of excellent stamina, pace, and balance makes him a nightmare for opposition attackers to get by.
If Chelsea can seal a transfer for the Brighton star they will be adding a special asset to their midfield to support Enzo Fernandez. Liverpool fans will surely be envious of the addition of the Ecuadorian to the London club and will be desperate to see their side triumph at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Image Credit: Ank Kumar on Wikimedia, CC BY SA 4.0
