Caicedo calls start to Stamford Bridge career ‘really tough’

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has spoken about the “really tough” start he experienced at Stamford Bridge after making a British-record £115 million transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2023.

Ecuador international Caicedo had established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and won Albion’s Player of the Season award during his final campaign at the club.

A run of six wins in 18 Premier League matches launched another underwhelming season for Chelsea in 2023/24, with a sixth-placed finish and Manchester United’s surprise FA Cup triumph meaning the huge spenders had to settle for Uefa Europa Conference League qualification.

💪🇪🇨 Midfielder Moises Caicedo has now joined up with the squad in California!#BluesInTheUSA pic.twitter.com/IpxPNuJx0D

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 23, 2024

Caicedo: Chelsea ‘different’

“Sometimes, if you are not strong in your mind, it is difficult,” said the 22-year-old, who made 48 appearances. “After every game, I watch my game.

“A guy I speak to regularly told me, ‘Moises, you are a good player, you can do whatever you want on the pitch with responsibility. Just trust in yourself. If Chelsea paid that [much money] for you, it’s because you are a very good player’.

“At the beginning it was tough for me because it is a big club and that you always have to win every game. It was tough for me as I was at Brighton, where the pressure is less. Chelsea is different.

“There’s a lot of pressure because of the club’s history, the players who were here [previously]. It was really tough… but in the last four or five months I felt more comfortable at the club because I had a lot of people around me.”

Chelsea’s Goal of the Season winner: Moises Caicedo! 🚀🔥 pic.twitter.com/bhmonulHfk

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 1, 2024

Chelsea vs Real Madrid

Caicedo could step up his preparations for the new season when Chelsea face Real Madrid’s at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday (12am BST).

The former Independiente del Valle prospect has only featured for 45 minutes in pre-season so far while he recovers from his involvement in Ecuador’s run to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa America, losing to champions Argentina on penalties.

Former Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has replaced Mauricio Pochettino, who left Chelsea by mutual consent in May, and overseen a run of one win in four matches on the club’s US tour.

“He plays like the same system that I played in Brighton,” Caicedo said of the Italian. “He wants the same. He wants me to show my quality, to have good personality, to show to my team-mates that I am the boss on the pitch. For sure, I will be a good player with him.”

Chelsea return to England for a home friendly against Inter Milan on Sunday (3pm). Maresca’s first competitive match in charge will be at home to Manchester City on August 18 (4.30pm).