Chelsea have set their sites on signing a central midfielder, with their hopes of luring in Brighton & Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo boosted, amidst the Ecuadorian’s claim that “he would be interested in a move” to Stamford Bridge.
What’s the word?
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who has informed GIVEMESPORT of Graham Potter’s ambition to secure a quick-fire reunion with Caicedo at Stamford Bridge.
With O’Rourke casting doubts over midfield duo N’Golo Kante and Jorginho’s respective futures in west London, the journalist believes that Potter will be looking to acquire a new central midfielder when the transfer window reopens in January.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke said: “It’s an obvious link, after Graham Potter moved to Chelsea, with one of his former Brighton stars being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as well.
“We know how well Caicedo did at the back-end of last season and has done at the start of this season. He has really impressed and I think, for Chelsea, there are a few doubts over their midfield going forward.
“N’Golo Kante and Jorginho’s futures are uncertain, so I think it’s something Chelsea would be looking at.
“It always helps if a player does suggest that he would be interested in a move to the club as well.”
A big £100m Chelsea claim
Quite simply, a move for Caicedo makes a lot of sense from a Chelsea perspective.
Of course, he is a tried and tested player under the Potter regime, with the boss embedding the 24-cap Ecuador international within the first team at the tender age of 20-years-old; a real test of trust and example of the starlet’s quality and maturity.
But to add to these qualities, he also boasts some impressive metrics that would no doubt see him shine in the Chelsea engine room.
Caicedo’s average of 10.77 ball recoveries, 8.57 passes under pressure, and 4.25 tackles + interceptions per 90 are illustrative of a star in the making, with his ability out of possession representative of what is missing currently in the Chelsea midfield.
When Potter was at Brighton just under a month ago, he revealed that it would take a bid of around £100million to tempt his side to sell the highly-rated starlet, thus admitting his importance and value to the side.
Whilst it would be tough to demand a fee of that calibre for a youthful Caicedo, the above admission will probably drive the price up slightly, but it will most certainly be worth it when all is said and done.