Moisés Caicedo has silenced the noise. After months of scrutiny and skepticism surrounding his record-breaking move to Chelsea, the Ecuadorian midfielder has not only found his feet but has arguably been the club’s most dependable performer this season.
He took the early noise and scepticism on board and then shut down his doubters with the one thing that always does: consistent match-decisive performances.
Fans voted Caicedo Chelsea Player of the Month for September and October back-to-back , and Chelsea’s official site confirmed he’s completed a “clean sweep” of October awards, and it’s his second Player of the Month in a row.
If we break down why fans and pundits are raving about Caicedo, the stats do most of the talking. Across league and cup this season, he’s been one of Chelsea’s most involved midfielders ; high minutes, strong tackle and interception rates and progressive passes.
Data shows Caicedo is top of the Chelsea charts this term for tackles per match (3.1), and he’s scored at key moments like that memorable decisive pass for the winning goal against Tottenham.
Those underlying numbers explain why he’s been voted Player of the Matchweek by the Premier League more than once already this season.
Doing it in the noise
Caicedo’s rise hasn’t been without controversy. When you sign for a club like Chelsea for a club-record fee of £115 million, every mistake is magnified. Since joining the team in 2023, pundits debated his role, some critics questioned his game and off-field headlines occasionally fuelled the narrative he was still finding himself.
But those debates have fallen silent lately as results and ratings go in his favour. Even former critics have struggled to deny his influence in midfield with several respected voices naming him one of the Premier League’s best central midfielders this autumn.
Part of Caicedo’s case is timing. He hasn’t just accumulated good stats, he’s also produced in critical moments. October’s Goal of the Month nomination for his screamer against Liverpool and repeated Man-of-the-Match performances, for instance, have turned impressed onlookers into believers. Maresca himself called Moises Caicedo one of the world’s best defensive midfielders.
That’s what turns a good holding midfielder into a team’s most reliable player. Criticism is part of the territory for any big-money signing.
Early concerns about Caicedo's rate of creativity ignored the bigger role a modern No. 6 has to play: shield the backline, recycle possession quickly and give the team a balance that allows the creative players to flourish.
In that respect, Caicedo has been perfecting himself , and the result is visible: a more cohesive midfield and actual wins.