'The Caicedo role'! Claude Makelele passes defensive midfield moniker on to Chelsea star Moises after stellar season

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Claude Makelele spoke of how well Moises Caicedo has done since arriving at Chelsea. The Chelsea and France legend said that Caicedo has done justice to his own defensive midfield position, which he feels is gaining more deserved recognition than it did during his playing career.

Chelsea begin their Club World Cup campaign on Monday, and Makelele suggested he feels the Blues have a good chance to go far in the competition this summer.

Makelele revolutionised the defensive midfield position during his career with the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid, winning an array of honours including league titles in three countries and the Champions League.

Viewed by many as one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, the Frenchman created the 'Makelele role'. As such, his praise is of the highest order for 23-year-old Caicedo, who has shone for the Blues in his second season at the club and picked up the club's Player of the Year award.

"I think it is the 'Caicedo role' now," said Makelele. "It gives me happiness if these young players take some things from me. Now this position has started to be recognised in world football.

"I was happy to see Rodri win the Ballon d’Or, because in my time the focus was not on this kind of midfielder. It was always about strikers or wingers and never midfielders. This position is one of the most important in the game, and now we see Rodri, or Pedri at Barcelona, getting acclaim.

"With Caicedo, I love this boy. He's humble and hard-working. I talked with him before he arrived at Chelsea and he told me I was his example. I’m sure he can be a success at Chelsea because he’s a good player. I think this new Chelsea can be successful now. We need to wait for Chelsea to win the Premier League again, and they are starting to build a strategy and some stability. And they need momentum, which is why I think winning the Club World Cup will help."

Chelsea face Los Angeles FC in their opening Club World Cup group stage match on Monday, before clashes with Flamengo and Tunisian outfit Esperance Tunis.

Ecuadorian international Caicedo is likely to play a key role for the Blues in the tournament, and will hope to take this praise from his idol in his stride next season as Enzo Maresca's side aim for Premier League and Champions League success.