Moises Caicedo: The Defensive Anchor for Chelsea

Chelsea‘s Recruitment Strategy under Boehly-Clearlake

Since the Boehly-Clearlake takeover of Chelsea, the west London club has adopted a big-spending approach in the transfer market.

Their new recruitment model focuses on securing the world’s finest young football talent. Lesley Ugochukwu was recently brought in from Rennes for £23m, while Andrey Santos joins the squad after receiving his work permit.

These players join the roster of young midfielders the club has already acquired. Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei, for instance, were two of the club’s earliest investments into rising stars. Notably, Conor Gallagher, still only 23, has had an impactful preseason performance.

Pochettino’s Tactical Approach

Based on Pochettino’s preseason strategies for Chelsea, it seems probable that Enzo and Caicedo will often be the pivot players.

Chelsea frequently adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation where one fullback would advance to support the attack, with the winger on the same side inverting to create a box midfield.

This strategy often provides a tilt dynamic that favours the attacking fullback. The opposite winger is then positioned to receive the ball in case there’s a play switch.

Enzo has consistently featured in this pivot role, with both Santos and Gallagher paired with him at different times.

Identifying Midfield Gaps

While the duo of Santos and Gallagher have shown promise, certain dynamics in the team’s play still require refinement.

Especially with Enzo, who is evolving into a more offensive play-maker, there’s an increasing demand for solid defensive support. For instance, Gallagher demonstrated his ability to recover the ball against Liverpool, but Chelsea appeared vulnerable during transitions.

What’s clear is the need for top-notch defensive positioning in the midfield to counteract quick breaks from the opposition.

Moises Caicedo: The Defensive Anchor

Moises Caicedo’s statistics underscore his defensive prowess. According to fbref.com, he ranks among the elite midfielders in defensive metrics. His keen sense for intercepting plays is evident, and he’s not one to back down from challenges.

While he might not have the height typical of many midfield ‘destroyers’, his aerial dominance is undeniable.

Caicedo’s inclusion promises to offer balance to the midfield pivot.

His defensive acumen will also allow players like Enzo to focus more on offensive maneuvers without being overly burdened with defensive duties.