Gus Poyet Says Moisés Caicedo Is Not Yet Chelsea’s New Makélélé
Moisés Caicedo has become central to Chelsea’s title ambitions after returning to fitness, but Gus Poyet believes comparisons with Claude Makélélé remain premature despite the Ecuador midfielder’s influence at Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Brighton in 2023 in a £100 million ($134m) deal and has occasionally been limited by injuries. He has nevertheless re-established himself as a regular starter, while also wearing the captain’s armband in selected matches.
Quick facts
- Caicedo moved to Chelsea from Brighton in 2023 for £100 million ($134m).
- Makélélé arrived from Real Madrid in 2003 and helped build Chelsea’s first modern title-winning side.
- Chelsea conceded only 15 Premier League goals in José Mourinho’s 2004-05 campaign.
- Caicedo has already won the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea.
- Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Emi Martínez are among the players in Chelsea’s evolving title project.
Poyet said Caicedo must sustain his current level over several seasons before being judged alongside Makélélé, whose Chelsea career set the standard for a defensive midfielder in English football.
“Makélélé’s path and career were extraordinary,” Poyet said. “Caicedo has to keep playing at this standard for a few years before that comparison can really be made. It is early, but he is hugely important to this side.”
He pointed to Chelsea’s results and balance with and without Caicedo, saying the difference between the opening four or five matches and the two games after his return underlined what the team had lacked. Poyet believes Caicedo gives Xabi Alonso’s system the platform required for the front three to attack freely.
Jordan Henderson’s work alongside Caicedo has also helped, Poyet added. The partnership has allowed the Ecuadorian to concentrate on his own game, with Poyet describing him as a vital player for Chelsea this season and hoping he remains available.
Makélélé joined Chelsea during Roman Abramovich’s early investment in the club, having left Real Madrid as one of Europe’s leading holding midfielders. Mourinho’s appointment in 2004 then transformed Chelsea into a dominant domestic force, with Makélélé screening a defence led by John Terry and Petr Čech.
His role was to halt attacks before Chelsea’s centre-backs and goalkeeper were exposed, and the value of that specialist No.6 position has only increased. Poyet said the role remains indispensable, even in an era dominated by possession-focused approaches associated with Barcelona, Pep Guardiola and Spanish football.
“Everybody wants to score when a team moves forward well, but somebody has to read the game,” Poyet said after attending Chelsea’s match against Bournemouth. “That player has to recognise spaces, organise, cover and anticipate what is coming.”
He placed Makélélé and N’Golo Kanté among the outstanding examples. Makélélé was exceptional because he consistently anticipated play, Poyet said, while Kanté’s remarkable energy enabled him to cover virtually the entire pitch.
Kanté, like Makélélé, won the Premier League with Chelsea, starring in Antonio Conte’s 2016-17 side after helping Leicester City claim their unexpected title the previous season. Caicedo’s Conference League and Club World Cup medals have already added silverware to his Chelsea record, and the club are assembling further talent around him in pursuit of domestic and European honours.
