Moises Caicedo’s rise at Chelsea has silenced critics after a mixed start, with the Ecuadorian international finishing the season as the club’s standout performer. Playing every match in the Premier League, Caicedo not only earned Chelsea’s Player of the Year award but was instrumental in their return to the Champions League and Conference League triumph over Real Betis, where he also scored.
Despite his contributions, former Manchester United star Paul Scholes questioned Caicedo’s impact, suggesting the midfielder didn’t create or control games effectively. His comments on The Overlap podcast sparked backlash online, with many fans defending Caicedo’s influence on Chelsea’s resurgence under Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea responded directly on social media, posting statistics that highlighted Caicedo’s value. He led the squad in appearances and tackles, recording 114 – the most of any Blues player and fifth-most in the entire Premier League. The next closest Chelsea player in tackles was Marc Cucurella with 67, emphasizing Caicedo’s standout defensive work.
Support for the 22-year-old didn’t stop with fans. Teammate Cole Palmer hailed him as the team’s most consistent and hardest-working player, calling him a “machine” and praising his professionalism and humility.
Fans on social media were quick to dismiss Scholes’ assessment as outdated, pointing out both the visual impact of Caicedo’s game and his undeniable stats. One user labeled it “one of the worst bits of punditry,” while others insisted Scholes hadn’t been watching closely.
Caicedo’s journey from a slow start to a dominant force in midfield underscores his importance to Chelsea’s success this season, and the club made sure his contributions weren’t overshadowed by criticism.