Moises Caicedo has opened up on his journey of growth and gratitude at Chelsea FC, describing the club as his home after more than three years. The midfielder's reflections follow a commanding performance in Chelsea's 5-1 win over Bournemouth last Saturday, a result that helped the Blues climb to sixth in the Premier League with 10 points from six games.
Speaking at the club's Cobham training ground, the 24-year-old Ecuadorian detailed his evolution from a player who faced early challenges to a central figure in the squad. "It has been a great journey for me, more than three special years at one of the best clubs in the world," Caicedo said. He acknowledged the club's support during difficult periods, which he believes were essential for his development. "In my first season, I passed some tough moments, I would say."
On-pitch impact
His importance was clear against Bournemouth, where he was instrumental from the opening seconds. Within 35 seconds of kick-off, Caicedo collected a bouncing ball, turned away from his marker, and drew a foul to set the tone. His forward pass to Cole Palmer initiated the move for Jordan Henderson's opening goal inside two minutes. Later, a tackle on the edge of the Bournemouth box led to the loose ball being worked to Morgan Rogers for the second. No player won more tackles or had a higher pass completion rate than Caicedo in that match, and he left the pitch to a standing ovation when substituted in the 72nd minute. Since the start of the 2023/24 season, no Premier League player has won more tackles than the Chelsea midfielder.
Leadership and future
Away from the pitch, Caicedo is a member of the leadership group at Cobham, though he admits leading by example comes more naturally than vocal instruction. "Every coach tells me I can improve talking on the pitch," he explained. "They know I'm a leader but it will be better for me if I start talking more with the players." He cited former teammate Thiago Silva as an example of leadership he admired during his time at the club. Looking ahead, Caicedo is focused on continuing his development under manager Xabi Alonso, who has previously described him as one of the best holding players in the world. "With Xabi I am going to keep developing, for sure, and show him why he trusts me," Caicedo stated.
The midfielder also highlighted the special bond with supporters, both at Stamford Bridge and in his native Ecuador, where Chelsea's popularity has grown during his tenure. "The fans in Ecuador and at Stamford Bridge support me so much," he said. "Every game I see people from Ecuador in the stadium. And it’s an amazing feeling when the Chelsea fans sing my song." He expressed a deep sense of responsibility to repay that faith with consistent performances. The full squad available for that match is listed on our squad page. Caicedo will aim to maintain the influential form that has made him a cornerstone of Chelsea's midfield as they seek greater consistency in their league campaign.
This story first appeared at chelseafc.com
