Moisés Caicedo has spoken candidly about the difficulties he faced during his first season at Chelsea, admitting the record transfer fee added significant pressure.
The Ecuador international joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion for an initial fee of £100 million (US$127.6 million) last August, with the fee potentially rising to £115 million (US$146.7 million) including add-ons.
However, he struggled to find his best form, scoring just one goal and providing four assists in 48 appearances in all competitions.
“The beginning was tough for me, because you’re at a big club, the price, you always have to win every game,” Caicedo said at a recent press conference. “It was tough for me because when I was at Brighton, the pressure was less. At Chelsea, it’s different. I felt a lot of pressure because you knew the club, the history, the players who were there.”
Despite his difficult start, Caicedo expressed confidence that the situation will change. “But after the last four or five months, I felt more comfortable at the club,” he noted. He also thanked former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino for helping him regain his confidence. “I have the quality and I know the player I am. But sometimes, if you are not mentally strong, it is difficult,” he said.
Moisés Caicedo reveals why he rejected Liverpool
Caicedo revealed that Pochettino and his staff, along with a personal advisor outside the club, played a crucial role in helping him deal with the pressure.
“A lot of people around me helped me: Mauricio and his team. They were with me when I felt I wasn’t the same Moisés. A guy I talk to regularly told me: ‘Moisés, you’re a good player, you can do whatever you want on the pitch with responsibility. Just trust yourself. If Chelsea paid that, [much money] For you it’s because you’re a very good player.”
Caicedo also addressed last summer’s transfer saga, where he almost moved to Liverpool after Brighton accepted an offer from the Reds.
? Moisés Caicedo: “I still remember a year ago… a difficult decision, Liverpool is a big team but Chelsea was with me for a couple of months and I felt I couldn’t waste this opportunity.”
“They were with me in difficult times, it was a difficult decision… but 100% correct.” image.twitter.com/mQLiz2RDgg
—Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2024
However, he ultimately opted for Chelsea, citing the interest and support the club has always shown during difficult times. “It was a difficult decision because you know Liverpool are a great team,” he admitted. “But Chelsea were with me for a couple of months and I felt I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by. They were with me in difficult times, it was a difficult decision, but 100% the right one.”
Caicedo is looking forward to next season and hopes to fully justify his high price tag and become an integral part of the Chelsea squad. “He wants me to show my quality, to have a good personality, to show my team-mates that I am the boss on the pitch,” concluded Caicedo, referring to the trust placed in him by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
