Enzo Maresca hails Moises Caicedo as Chelsea boss makes bold Declan Rice and Rodri comparison | OneFootball

Caicedo has hit top form at Stamford Bridge after a slow start following his £115m move from Brighton

Enzo Maresca believes Moises Caicedo is every bit as good as Declan Rice and Rodri, amid the Chelsea midfielder’s superb return to form this season.

However, the Ecuadorian struggled to adapt at times during his first season at Stamford Bridge under Mauricio Pochettino, and has since admitted he felt the pressure of moving to a big club with such a hefty price tag.

Meanwhile, Rice - who moved to Arsenal for £105m in the same transfer window - and Rodri emerged as the division’s dominant midfielders as Arsenal and Manchester City went toe-to-toe in the title race.

However, with Rodri ruled out for the season with an ACL injury and Rice only recently finding his best form after a slow start to the campaign, Caicedo has been perhaps the standout holding player in the country this term.

The 23-year-old has started every league game for a Chelsea side who sit second in the table ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tottenham and is, Maresca believes, now back to his Brighton best.

“He is for sure now at that level,” Maresca said, when asked how his player compares to the likes of Rice and Rodri. “No doubt.

“Unfortunately, Rodri is injured but Declan is playing. But I think Moises can sit at that table with that kind of midfielder.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.