'I get upset with myself' - Caicedo opens up on Chelsea struggles

Tom Weber

• Updated: 14 Dec 2023 10:41 GMT
• 4 min read

Moises Caicedo has opened up on his early struggles since his record move to Chelsea.

The Ecuador international headed to Stamford Bridge in the summer after a lengthy transfer saga. Linked with Arsenal in January, it ultimately came down to Chelsea and Liverpool in the summer. The Blues appeared the favourites to land him, only for the Reds to surprisingly hijack a deal late in the window.

Caicedo, however, had his heart set on a move to London and the deal was eventually re-hijacked by Chelsea. The Brighton man ultimately got his wish and signed for the Blues for a British record €134 million, but his start to life at his new club has been anything but easy.

The 21-year-old has struggled to match his Brighton performances at the heart of Chelsea's midfield and head coach Mauricio Pochettino recently admitted to worrying about him and his partner Enzo Fernandez, himself a previous Blues record signing.

What's more, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp fired shots at Chelsea and Caicedo, saying he is glad things ultimately didn't work out in the summer in light of the Ecuadorian's struggles, with the Reds sitting top of the Premier League, while Chelsea languish in 12th.

Caicedo admits to underperforming

Speaking to Telemundo, Caicedo has now admitted that he has so far not shown the best version of himself in a Chelsea shirt. “Football always gives this, ups and downs. Now, I think that the club and I are not going through a good moment, but I’m calm because I knew that this could come."

"I must be mentally strong. The same people who put you up, bring you down. I have understood and I have not let myself be carried away by anyone’s flattery. I always worked for myself, I know how good I am, and if my family knows that, it’s enough for me. My mentality has always been [to be] a winner."

"Always be there, win games, win duels in the centre of the field, be everywhere. I get upset with myself because I would like to show [more], but football is like that sometimes. It takes time to adapt to the club and it is a little more pressure, but I have known how to handle that. I have felt good about myself, I always want to win, for the team to be good, but now unfortunately we are not going through a good moment.”

"I wanted to come here because they had shown me that they really loved me. It was something very nice for me, I decided quickly and said yes. [Pochettino] speaks my language and my relationship with him is easier. It’s very good. It was a little easier to join here. He is watching over us. [Over me] more than others, I was the last one to arrive. I didn’t have a good preseason, he has protected me and I value that.”