Back in 2003, Claude Makelele left Real Madrid to join Chelsea's ambitious project. A year later, José Mourinho's arrival made the Blues virtually unstoppable, conceding just 15 goals in the 2004/05 season. Makelele disrupted opposition attacks long before they reached the defenders.
Fast forward to today, and those duties now fall on Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian was snapped up from Brighton in 2023 for a staggering £100 million. Recently, former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet shared his thoughts with GOAL on whether Caicedo has reached the level of the legendary Frenchman.
Makelele's trajectory and career were incredible. I think he needs to keep playing at this level for a few more years for comparisons to be valid.
It's still too early to say, but at the same time, he's so crucial for this team. The difference in results from the first four or five games without him compared to the last two is absolutely staggering. It shows just how much they missed him, especially in the system that Xabi Alonso is trying to implement, allowing the front three to express themselves.
I also think that with all due respect to Caicedo, Jordan Henderson's presence alongside him, which not many expected, is allowing him to be himself. So, I believe he is a key player for Chelsea this season, and I really hope he maintains his form.
Makelele isn’t the only great French destroyer to grace Stamford Bridge. In the 2016/17 season, N'Golo Kante helped Antonio Conte's side clinch the Premier League title following his sensational triumph with Leicester. Poyet reflected on whether Caicedo can continue this winning tradition.
I was at the game against Bournemouth, and when you see how smoothly the team transitions into attack, everybody wants to score, and you need someone who is tactically aware... sometimes people don't see where he stands, where he's looking, what he's pointing to, and how he reads the game. Those are the special players you've mentioned.
Makelele, due to his ability to anticipate the game. N'Golo Kante, because I've never seen someone cover as much ground as he does. I've seen players who run a lot, but he covers every inch of the pitch. I think that shows we still need a player like that, a true number six, old-school, sitting in front of the back four in every team across the globe.
Sometimes with this new mentality of passing and styles like Barcelona’s, Pep Guardiola’s, or the Spanish style, we forget about that central midfielder.
This season, the 24-year-old Moises Caicedo has even captained the team on occasion. Meanwhile, Chelsea's hierarchy continues to spend lavishly on transfers to restore the club to its former glory. A new side is being built around the Ecuadorian, involving Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro, and Emiliano Martinez.
