25 Moises Caicedo

Born on 2 November 2001 in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, Caicedo grew up as the youngest of ten siblings. He honed his skills on makeshift pitches in the Mujer Trabajadora neighborhood, where local coach Iván Guerra supported his early development by providing boots, travel expenses, and food. His sensitive nature earned him the nickname “Niño Moi” among teammates.

Club Career

Early Career and Independiente del Valle

Caicedo began organized football at the Mujer Trabajadora soccer school before joining local club Colorados Jaipadida at 13. His early trials with ESPOLI, Mushuc Runa, and Barcelona SC were unsuccessful due to financial constraints and team decisions. In 2016, his brother helped him secure a trial at Ecuadorian Serie A side Independiente del Valle, where he impressed and earned a place in their youth academy.

Overcoming a serious knee injury in 2017, Caicedo captained the youth team to the Copa Mitad del Mundo title in 2019. He debuted for the first team later that year and quickly established himself as a key player, shining in both domestic and international competitions. His standout moment came in the 2020 Copa Libertadores against Flamengo, where he scored a stunning goal, solidifying his reputation as one of South America’s brightest talents.

Brighton & Hove Albion (2021–2023)

In February 2021, Brighton & Hove Albion secured Caicedo on a four-and-a-half-year deal. He made his debut in the EFL Cup against Cardiff City and later joined Belgian side Beerschot on loan, where he scored his first European goal. Brighton recalled him in January 2022 due to midfield shortages.

Upon his return, he quickly became a key player, making his Premier League debut against Arsenal and scoring his first goal against Manchester United in May 2022. By the 2022–23 season, Caicedo had cemented himself as one of the league’s best midfielders, earning Brighton’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards. Despite multiple transfer bids from Arsenal and Liverpool, Brighton rejected all offers, ultimately extending his contract until 2027.

Record-Breaking Chelsea Transfer (2023–Present)

In August 2023, Chelsea signed Caicedo on an eight-year deal for a British record fee of up to £115 million, surpassing the club’s previous record signing, Enzo Fernandez. He debuted against West Ham, where he conceded a penalty in a 3–1 loss. However, he soon adapted, and on the final day of the 2023–24 season, he scored a stunning 50-yard goal against Bournemouth.

Entering the 2024–25 season, Caicedo captained Chelsea for the first time against Servette in a UEFA Conference League play-off. He continued to make an impact, scoring a brilliant volley in a 1–1 draw against Manchester United.

Playing Style

Caicedo operates primarily as a defensive midfielder but has the energy and ability to contribute in a box-to-box role. Known for his exceptional ball-winning ability, tactical intelligence, and composure under pressure, he achieved a 90.9% pass completion rate in the 2023–24 Premier League season, highlighting his reliability in possession.

International Career

Caicedo debuted for Ecuador’s senior team in October 2020, scoring his first international goal days later in a 4–2 win over Uruguay. He played a crucial role in Ecuador’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, scoring a key goal against Senegal. Despite Ecuador’s group-stage exit, his performances attracted global recognition.

He was also named in Ecuador’s squad for the 2024 Copa América, further solidifying his role as a key figure for his national team.