If you look at the list of players that have cost over 100m not many of them have proven to be worth it, Caicedo is one of those that is absolutely worth it, unreal player.

Consistently top level. Almost always makes the correct decision and seems to have a bit more time than other players - the sign of true quality.

He’s so consistently good. Just a complete footballer. Most similar player we’ve had is Essien, but Caicedo’s probably better than he ever was already.

Edited May 17, 20251 yr by Cfc91

On 17/05/2025 at 13:23, Cfc91 said:

He’s so consistently good. Just a complete footballer. Most similar player we’ve had is Essien, but Caicedo’s probably better than he ever was already.

Not for a moment. Opposition payers looked like they had been run over by a truck after an Essien tackle. Most of them would simply bottle it Jorginho stylee when they saw him flying in. And he also had a shot like a cannon.

The comparisons are there to be made - Maka, Essien, Ramires, Kante. Maka had a role named after him. Prime Essien dominated midfield with unmatched physicality and was technically gifted. Ramires (who I know is not quite in the same league as the other three) just never stopped running. And Kante, well maybe the best tackler and box-to-box we've ever seen.

I see a little of all of those players in Caicedo, and think he is well on his way to joining the Maka, Essien and Kante list. Time will tell whether he has the trophy count to match given the circus act at the club., but what a player he is. Stick Lavia next to him and let Moises push on with those driving runs.

1 hour ago, PhilH930 said:

The comparisons are there to be made - Maka, Essien, Ramires, Kante. Maka had a role named after him. Prime Essien dominated midfield with unmatched physicality and was technically gifted. Ramires (who I know is not quite in the same league as the other three) just never stopped running. And Kante, well maybe the best tackler and box-to-box we've ever seen.

I see a little of all of those players in Caicedo, and think he is well on his way to joining the Maka, Essien and Kante list. Time will tell whether he has the trophy count to match given the circus act at the club., but what a player he is. Stick Lavia next to him and let Moises push on with those driving runs.

Playstyle he is comparable to Kante and Ramires.

Essien was a different animal.

And Maka was a visionary and revolutionary. You don't get a position named after you for nothing.

10 hours ago, just said:

Not for a moment. Opposition payers looked like they had been run over by a truck after an Essien tackle. Most of them would simply bottle it Jorginho stylee when they saw him flying in. And he also had a shot like a cannon.

Had to have another look.

He is absolutely incredible. It’s such a shame Enzo didn’t reach the same level, because imagine if he did… We would have the best midfield in Europe.

Absolutely special player. One of the few players we have that gets into any side.

We are lucky he's a Chelsea fan, love the guy.

Caicedo might genuinely be the most irreplaceable footballer in the world right now. Palmer is an amazing player but we could in theory sign another AM who could get us close to the same level of impact, whereas there is simply no one who can do exactly what he does in our team.

There isn't a midfielder out there who can and certainly not another in our squad.

1 hour ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Caicedo might genuinely be the most irreplaceable footballer in the world right now. Palmer is an amazing player but we could in theory sign another AM who could get us close to the same level of impact, whereas there is simply no one who can do exactly what he does in our team.

There isn't a midfielder out there who can and certainly not another in our squad.

Agreed. It will be interesting to see how this Essugo lad pans out, as he has been mooted as similar to Caicedo

51 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

Agreed. It will be interesting to see how this Essugo lad pans out, as he has been mooted as similar to Caicedo

Andrey Santos also has a set of metrics (albeit in Ligue 1) that ought to sit very well alongside Caicedo as well as adding goals and leadership.

I'm just hoping that our leadership finally realise (after 3 years LOL) that Enzo Fernandez needs to be the odd one out in our midfield of the future. !

54 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

Agreed. It will be interesting to see how this Essugo lad pans out, as he has been mooted as similar to Caicedo

Essugo is just transfer bait haha. Hope he goes on to big things but he doesn't come with the reputation that Caicedo has.

Caicedo is not a new name - I posted in this thread earlier that the club have been scouting him since 2019, and Manchester United massively fumbled the ball when they could have signed him for ~5m back in 2020.

Caicedo is living up to his potential but in a chaotic system. Its frightening what he could be in a stable side with a good manager.

Started every PL game this season and will likely start on Wednesday.

We should send him off to sip pina coladas on a beach somewhere while we're in the club world cup. He needs to rest. If he starts picking up injuries our entire operation crumbles.

8 hours ago, yaz said:

Started every PL game this season and will likely start on Wednesday.

We should send him off to sip pina coladas on a beach somewhere while we're in the club world cup. He needs to rest. If he starts picking up injuries our entire operation crumbles.

It's pretty much the only competition he has played in though. He's played 168 minutes of Conference League football, less than two full games, didn't play in the League Cup and only played in one F.A Cup game. Lewandowski is 36 and has more minutes than Caicedo this season.

Moises, Palmer and RJ are our three world class players.

Been worth every penny, which says a lot with how much we paid

37 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Moises, Palmer and RJ are our three world class players.

Been worth every penny, which says a lot with how much we paid

Every comment you make revolves around EnzoF, whether it be directly or indirectly 😄

He is UNBELIEVABLE

Finished our season with a goal in the final. Couldn't be more fitting with how he has played this season.

First name on the team sheet every week. Just an absolute rock.

Beast

I can’t get over how good he is. My god.

11 hours ago, Upb78 said:

Every comment you make revolves around EnzoF, whether it be directly or indirectly 😄

I’m not sure where my post mentions Fernandez, I was praising our best players

Stats list him at 178cm but, seeing him alongside some of the other lads, I suspect 178cm is stretching things. Hell of a parcel of talent, but.

1 hour ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

I’m not sure where my post mentions Fernandez, I was praising our best players

All right 😉

Edited May 29, 20251 yr by Upb78