Second most expensive Blues transfer
Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino has defended new signing Moisés Caicedo, who cost 116 million euros. The 22-year-old defensive midfielder is still getting used to his new club. Pochettino reported a 20-minute conversation with Caicedo, who is still looking for his best form.
“We had no preparation with him. We talk about footballers, there is the physical and the mental, and then there is the talent. If you want to express your talent, you must have a clear head and good legs; otherwise it is not possible to make a difference,” explained Pochettino (quoted via “London Evening Standard“).
Long international trips to the Ecuadorian national team would have done the rest and slowed Caicedo’s development. “Traveling to South America is hard, two or three weeks with us – 25 or 30 days – and then ten or twelve days away. Then he came back with some knee problems. That didn’t help. “It’s not an excuse, it’s the reality – we need time,” said Pochettino.
Pochettino’s plea for Chelsea purchase Caicedo: “He’s a human being”
Caicedo, who played for Brighton between January 2022 and summer 2023 and became interesting for Chelsea there, made 14 appearances over 940 minutes this season. The market value of the right-footer was increased from 75 million euros to 90 million euros as a result of his million-dollar transfer. Pochettino described the new signing as an emotional guy and player. “It is easy to blame money and various aspects. He is a human being,” said the Argentine (quoted via Fabrizio Romano).
With the amount paid for him, Caicedo currently only just misses the top 10 most expensive footballers in history. So far, Chelsea had only spent more money on Enzo Fernández (121 million euros). However, through bonuses, the transfer fee for Caicedo can increase to up to 133.4 million euros. The Blues play against his former club Brighton on Sunday.
With Nkunku, Palmer & Caicedo: Chelsea FC’s most expensive purchases
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