Joe Cole names the ‘sensible’ Chelsea star he ‘would not swap for anyone’ | Football

Joe Cole has picked out Moises Caicedo as ‘the very best midfielder on this planet between the boxes’ and claims he wouldn’t swap the Chelsea star for anybody else in the sport.

Chelsea spent a then British-record fee of £115million to sign Caicedo back in 2023, with the Ecuador international having earned rave reviews for his performances on the south coast with Brighton.

And after a gradual begin to life in west London, Caicedo has firmly established himself amongst probably the most highly regarded central midfielders in English football.

Caicedo has began all but certainly one of Chelsea’s opening eight matches of the Premier League season – only missing out against Nottingham Forest after he was only deemed fit enough for the bench.

Nevertheless, Caicedo was introduced as Enzo Maresca rang the changes at half-time and the 23-year-old was instrumental because the Blues won 3-0 because of a second-half demolition job on the City Ground.

The previous Brighton man will probably be expected to return to Chelsea’s starting XI this evening when the Club World Cup winners resume their Champions League campaign at home to Ajax.

‘He’s the very best midfielder on this planet between the boxes, and he’s improving at each ends of the pitch as well. I feel he’s absolutely sensible,’ ex-Chelsea winger Cole told Paddy Power when asked about Caicedo.

‘When it comes to breaking up play, playing it through the lines, being intelligent, driving the team forward, and he’s also adding goals to his game, and he scores great goals.

‘I’m struggling to think about any person I’d want in my midfield higher than him in the intervening time, I actually would. And that’s a large shout.

‘But I wouldn’t swap him for anyone now at Chelsea.’

Chelsea’s talisman last season, Cole Palmer, has had a deeply frustrating begin to the campaign and widespread reports suggest he could possibly be sidelined until the tip of November because of a persistent groin problem.

But in response to Cole, Chelsea’s greater strength in depth means the club ought to be ‘high quality’ without the England attacker in the intervening time.

‘If Cole Palmer would have been injured 18 months ago, the entire of the Kings Road would have been crying tears because he was that influential,’ the three-time Premier League winner said.

‘I’ve never seen a player for a few years be that influential on a Chelsea team since probably [Gianfranco] Zola.

‘Cole Palmer was so influential, but then the team’s been built around him nicely, so I feel Chelsea will probably be high quality.’

Cole believes the fierce level of competition within the Premier League makes winning the Champions League a more realistic ambition for Chelsea this season.

‘They’re more more likely to win the Champions League. As mad because it sounds, I feel it’s barely easier to win the Champions League,’ he continued.

‘You may have a run at it, you possibly can get lucky in three or 4 games. You continue to should be a top side, I don’t wish to discredit any team that’s won it, but to win a Premier League title [is different].

‘There’s a lot competition [in the Premier League] this yr. Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool – it goes be sensible.

‘For Chelsea, I’m not saying for everyone, but Chelsea this yr can be harder with the consistency [needed] to win the league, but they’ll beat anyone on their day.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Sean Dyche faces tough start at Nottingham Forest against formidable Porto

MORE: Antonio Conte admits Napoli ‘mistake’ after Rasmus Hojlund and Kevin de Bruyne transfers

MORE: Man Utd resolve punishment for fan who attacked the supporter REFUSING to chop their hair