Gary Neville has lauded Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo for his resurgence in form under new boss Enzo Maresca.
The Ecuador international, signed from Brighton for a British record transfer worth £115 million last year, struggled in his first season at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino.
However, Caicedo has shown significant improvement following the arrival of Maresca and has established himself as a key figure in the Italian’s system.
The 23-year-old has started all 19 games for Chelsea in the league so far this season, with his form earning recognition from both Neville and Jamie Carragher as the Sky Sports pundits put together their teams of the season so far.
The former Manchester United full-back, in particular, praised Caciedo for the way in which he bounced back after his difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge.
‘He was fantastic at Brighton. He came to Chelsea and looked awful in a Chelsea shirt,’ Neville said.
‘That partnership with Enzo Fernandez in midfield just wasn’t working at all. But he’s been so much better this season. So much more settled.
‘I think when he plays with [Romeo] Lavia he plays well. Actually, Enzo Fernandez has come back into the team in recent week as well and he’s looking even better with him.
‘He looks like the player that they signed. He’s been the outstanding player.’
Meanwhile, former Chelsea assistant Jody Morris has suggested that Caicedo’s levels of performance this season make him the Blues’ most important player, even ahead of Cole Palmer.
‘If we’re talking team of the season, they’ve [Caicedo and Ryan Gravenberch] played better than anybody,’ Morris said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
‘Caicedo has played better than Cole Palmer this year. I’m telling you, he’s been better than Cole Palmer at Chelsea. If you’re talking team of the season, who has played better than Caicedo?
‘I’m just looking at pure performance, I’ve not seen Caicedo have a bad game.’
Speaking earlier in the December, Maresca sugested that the Ecuadorian could become one of the best holding midfielders in the league along with the likes of Rodri and Declan Rice.
‘He is for sure now at that level, no doubt,’ Maresca said. ‘Unfortunately, Rodri is injured but Declan is playing. But I think Moises can sit at that table with that kind of midfielder.’
Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways this upcoming weekend when they travel to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
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