How big a miss is Caicedo for Chelsea?

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s manager, is well aware of Moises Caicedo’s significance.

The Ecuadorian midfielder will start 50 of Maresca’s 51 Premier League games against Chelsea.

Caicedo will miss three games, including those against Bournemouth and Everton, after getting sent off in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

Maresca gave Caicedo the same billing as former NBA player Cole Palmer during a Tuesday speech.

Maresca remarked, “We are a better team with Moi, and we are a better team with Cole.”

Caicedo has been a key player for the Blues this season, but only a late South American return prevented him from starting their 2-0 victory over Burnley following the international break in November.

Maresca responded to BBC Sport by saying, “I won’t do it any more. I want to keep winning.” This is the final opportunity!”

Although he may have been making jokes, his words may have some truth to them.

Caicedo is regarded by his manager as one of the two best defensive midfielders in the world, along with Rodri, who won both the club’s players’ player and fans’ player of the year awards in 2024 and 2025.

Opta’s data sources for football support that conclusion.

Andrey Santos, who impressed in Chelsea’s victory against Burnley on November 22nd, is their primary replacement for Caicedo.

Maresca told BBC Sport, “Andrey is prepared.” Like Moi’s position, his position plays as a six. He’s ready”.

Santos has also been used in more specialized roles by Maresca. The 21-year-old has a high standing with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy after working at partner club Strasbourg on loan.

Santos, who has four Brazil caps, made the move from Vasco da Gama for £11 million before taking on loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Strasbourg, and then at Vasco da Gama.

In the future seasons, Chelsea plans to send teenagers to Ligue 1 for 12 to 24 months in order to prepare them for the Premier League. As a result, the French side will likely become a well-known pathway to first-team football.

Santos believes that the partnership will succeed.

He told BBC Sport, “I’m so happy I was the first one.” “Madamou Sarr, Mike Penders, and Emanuel Emegha are some of the top players in Strasbourg this season,” said Penders.

He does have options if Maresca needs to relocate.

Enzo Fernandez, who played the full 90 minutes for Chelsea last week, is capable of playing deeper but lacks Caicedo or Santos’ physicality and tackling prowess, making him susceptible to being overrun.

Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo both have injuries, with Romeo Essugo missing three games as a result of a training setback.

Reece James could be the main choice if Chelsea wanted to move defenders into midfield. Caicedo and the Chelsea captain won the match’s man of the match with a stunning performance against Arsenal. However, Maresca claims that the England international will likely miss out on the game against Leeds.

Maresca may have had a difficult time due to Caicedo’s absence, but it will mean the 24-year-old will have a chance to rest before the busy holiday season.

Caicedo admitted to having a knee problem before the Arsenal game.

He said, “Sometimes I feel pain.” But I won’t be stopping until I break. I never give up. I accustomed to playing this way.

Caicedo, according to BBC Sport, has admitted to expending too much time with his close friends and family. He was named as one of the footballers with “unequal workload,” according to the global players’ union FifPro.

When asked whether resting Caicedo, who played for Ecuador in two full matches last month, represented the upside of his ban, Maresca responded, “Yes, that’s the positive part.

He participates in almost every game, along with the international team.