Many Chelsea supporters are perplexed as to whether they are seeing the best of the gifted midfield player after the player was assigned to the lone pivot position.
Although his acquisition came at a high cost, he appears to be a very good player, but his performances in a position where he isn’t used to his best advantage have drawn criticism.
Those who have extensively studied Caicedo’s career will find resonance in the claim that he is not a world-class lone pivot.
Chelsea’s investment in the midfielder is intended to yield dividends, and to achieve that, he must be played in a position that maximizes his strengths and contributions to the team.
During the recent international break, Caicedo displayed a breathtaking box-to-box performance for Ecuador, reminiscent of the dynamic play seen in N’golo Kante.
This stellar showing reignited the excitement among fans, prompting questions about why Chelsea hasn’t replicated this success by allowing him to play a role that mirrors his international exploits.
The argument is not that Caicedo is incapable of functioning as a lone pivot, but rather that his true potential shines when he is given the freedom to move up the field, leading counter-press efforts, making crucial interceptions, executing tackles, and influencing attacking plays.
It’s a role that mirrors the style that made Kante a household name.
The parallels drawn between Caicedo’s performance and Kante’s style of play underscore the potential brilliance that Chelsea might be overlooking.
Chelsea’s decision to utilize Caicedo primarily as a lone pivot appears to be limiting his impact on the pitch.
The evidence from his international exploits suggests that a more advanced role could be the key to unlocking the true potential Chelsea saw in him when they made the significant investment.
