Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo reflects on his challenging first season at the club, revealing that the pressure of his £115 million price tag affected his confidence.
The 22-year-old Ecuadorian joined Chelsea from Brighton last August for a fee of £100 million, potentially rising to a British club record of £115 million following a bidding war with Liverpool. In his debut season, Caicedo scored one goal and provided four assists in 48 games, as Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League. Manager Mauricio Pochettino departed in May.
“The beginning was tough for me, because you are at a big club, the price, you always have to win every game,” Caicedo said. “It was tough for me because when I was in Brighton, the pressure is less. At Chelsea, it is different. I felt a lot of pressure because you know the club, the history, the players who were there.”
However, Caicedo mentioned that after the initial four to five months, he began to feel more comfortable at Chelsea. When asked if he lost confidence, Caicedo responded: “Yes, confidence. I have the quality and I know the player I am. But sometimes if you are not strong in your mind, it is difficult.” He credited a performance coach and his former manager Pochettino for helping him regain his confidence.
“A lot of people around me helped me – Mauricio and his staff. They were with me when I felt like I was not the same Moises,” he said. “I asked them, ‘Please help me because I want to show my quality, my football.’ They were with me. I have a person outside of the club who helped me a lot to get the pressure out of my mind.”
A mentor outside of the club consistently reminded him of his capabilities: “A guy I speak to regularly told me, ‘Moises, you are a good player, you can do whatever you want on the pitch with responsibility. Just trust in yourself. If Chelsea paid that [much money] for you, it’s because you are a very good player.'”
With new manager Enzo Maresca now at the helm, Caicedo is optimistic about the future. He noted that Maresca’s system is similar to what he played at Brighton, which he appreciates. “He wants me to show my quality, to have good personality, to show my team-mates that I am the boss on the pitch,” Caicedo said.
Liverpool had agreed to a £111 million deal with Brighton for Caicedo before he chose Chelsea, citing the Blues’ sustained interest in him as a deciding factor.
“Chelsea was with me for a couple of months. I could not miss out on them. Because they were with me in tough moments when Brighton didn’t want to let me go,” Caicedo added. “It was a difficult decision but, for sure, 100%, I knew I wanted to go to Chelsea.”
Chelsea will face Real Madrid in their final US tour match in Charlotte on Tuesday evening (00:00 BST Wednesday) before returning to play Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Nova88 stands out as the premier choice for online gambling enthusiasts, offering an unparalleled gaming experience that caters to both seasoned players and newcomers alike. By joining Nova88, members can take advantage of exclusive bonuses that elevate their gameplay and enhance their winning potential. With a vast array of games, secure transactions, and top-notch customer service, Nova88 ensures a thrilling and reliable environment for all its users. Don’t miss out on this opportunity—join Nova88 now and experience the best in online gambling.
