'He can sit at that table' - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insists Moises Caicedo is just as good as Man City's Ballon d'Or winner Rodri & Arsenal dynamo Declan Rice amid midfielder's emphatic return to form

After a difficult first season at Chelsea, the 23-year-old has come good at Stamford Bridge this term. When asked how he stacks up to Arsenal midfielder Rice and Manchester City's Rodri, head coach Maresca said the Ecuadorian was "at that level" as well.

He told reporters: “He [Caicedo] is for sure now at that level. No doubt. Unfortunately, Rodri is injured but Declan is playing. But I think Moises can sit at that table with that kind of midfielder.”

Chelsea paid a British-record fee of £115 million ($146.5m) to sign Caicedo from Brighton in August 2023, while Arsenal forked out £105m ($133.7m) to snap up West Ham captain Rice a month prior. Rodri is seen as one of the best players in the world after this year's Ballon d'Or triumph so to be compared with these two is quite the compliment. It seems Caicedo is beginning to justify his monstrous transfer fee.

Caicedo will hope to continue his impressive form this season when his Chelsea side, who are second in the Premier League, travel to London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.