Caicedo: Liverpool were late in the summer – “Bad time” at Chelsea

Switched for 116 million

When he moved to Chelsea last summer, Moisés Caicedo became the most expensive professional in Premier League history. It is not the basic fee of 116 million euros, but the additional 17 million euros in bonuses that will most likely put him in pole position. For a long time, Liverpool FC was considered the hottest candidate for a signing and was said to have reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion, but Caicedo declined.

“At the last moment Liverpool called me, but it was too late because I wanted to play for Chelsea,” Caicedo explained in an interview with the English TV channel “Sky Sports“. It was difficult to “say no to Chelsea”. He had been in discussions with the London club over a long period of time. Before signing with the Blues, it was reported that Caicedo had informed LFC that he only wanted to move to Chelsea. According to reports, the terms were already negotiated at the end of May. Ultimately, the capital club is said to have increased the offer to Brighton again before Caicedo signed a contract until 2031.

With Nkunku, Palmer & Caicedo: Chelsea FC’s most expensive purchases

26 Benoît Badiashile | 2022/23 from Monaco

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Transfer fee: €38 million
As of September 1, 2023

25 Didier Drogba | 2004/05 from Marseille

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Transfer fee: €38.5 million

24 Michy Batshuayi | 2016/17 from Marseille

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Transfer fee: €39 million

22 Tiemoué Bakayoko | 2017/18 from Monaco

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Transfer fee: €40 million

22 Hakim Ziyech | 2020/21 from Ajax

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Transfer fee: €40 million

21 Andriy Shevchenko | 2006/07 by Milan

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Transfer fee: €43.9 million

19 Axel Disasi | 2023/24 from AS Monaco

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Transfer fee: €45 million

19 Mateo Kovacic | 2019/20 by Real Madrid

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Transfer fee: €45 million

18 Cole Palmer | 2023/24 by Manchester City

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Transfer fee: €47 million

17 Ben Chilwell | 2020/21 by Leicester City

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Transfer fee: €50.2 million

16 Timo Werner | 2020/21 from RB Leipzig

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Transfer fee: €53 million

15 Raheem Sterling | 2022/23 by Man City

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Transfer fee: €56.2 million

14 Jorginho | 2018/19 from SSC Napoli

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Transfer fee: €57 million

13 Fernando Torres | 2010/11 from Liverpool FC

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Transfer fee: €58.5 million

12 Christopher Nkunku | 2023/24 from RB Leipzig

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Transfer fee: €60 million

11 Romeo Lavia | 2023/24 from Southampton

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Transfer fee: €62.1 million

10 Christian Pulisic | 2018/19 from BVB

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Transfer fee: €64 million

9 Marc Cucurella | Brighton in 2022/23

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Transfer fee: €65.3 million

8 Alvaro Morata | 2017/18 by Real Madrid

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Transfer fee: €66 million

7 Mykhaylo Mudryk | 2022/23 by Shakhtar Donetsk

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Transfer fee: €70 million

5 Kepa | 2018/19 by Athletic Bilbao

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Transfer fee: €80 million

5 Kai Havertz | 2020/21 from Bayer Leverkusen

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Transfer fee: €80 million

4 Wesley Fofana | 2022/23 by Leicester City

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Transfer fee: €80.4 million

3 Romelu Lukaku | 2021/22 from Inter Milan

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Transfer fee: €113 million

2 Moises Caicedo | Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023/24

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Transfer fee: 116 million + €17 million in bonuses

Around four months after the signing, the deal is not in a good light because Chelsea is in the middle of a sporting crisis. Despite the world’s highest expenditure in the summer of around 468 million euros, the Blues are only in twelfth place in the league and are eleven points behind a secure European Cup place. According to Caicedo, it is difficult to win “because the other teams are also strong. We know we are Chelsea, but we are a new team with young players.” Everything is new for him.

Caicedo is having a “bad time” at Chelsea – Good relationship with Pochettino

He doesn’t feel any pressure because of the transfer fee paid for him. “At Chelsea you always have to win. When you don’t win, you feel the pressure in every game because the fans always want the team to win,” Caicedo said. He responded to criticism from outside: “It’s a bad time for me at the moment, and my family is suffering a lot because they read and hear what people say about me, which is not good.” He is trying to be “strong to be, because that’s football.”

Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino recently defended the 22-year-old. “It is easy to blame money and various aspects. He is a human being,” emphasized the Argentine. About his coach’s words, Caicedo said: “He knows who I am and that’s why he treats me calmly. I’ve only been here for four months and I didn’t play well in preparation because it was very difficult for me. I am sure that I will show my quality.” The two have a “good relationship” and Pochettino protects him from criticism, said Caicedo. It is time to initiate the sporting turnaround, but this will take time.

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