Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has dropped some early team news by suggesting he will have to take a second look at Moises Caicedo before making a decision on his starting position against Bournemouth.

Moises Caicedo was in action for his country against Bolivia in La Paz, at an altitude of nearly 12,000ft above sea level and arrived at Cobham just a little bit later than his fellow South American Enzo Fernandez.

Pochettino confirmed Fernandez was ready and would be involved even though Caicedo is less of a certainty. The Chelsea manager said: “We saw them today and he is in a good mood,” he told reporters. He scored against Bolivia, I think he will be ready.”

“Moises is a bit later than Enzo. So we will need to assess him but we hope so [he’s ready].”

Chelsea have had a tricky start to the season with just one win, one draw and two defeats in their first four games which makes the game against Bournemouth a must-win.

Boss Pochettino has urged his players to be nasty in a good way which may help make a difference, he told reporters: “If you watch the Forest game, they won and deserved it.

Tags: Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino, Moises Caicedo

Lionel Messi once again exhibited class to help Argentina record another victory as they began their qualification for the 2026 World Cup on a positive note.

A day after being nominated to vie for a record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or title, Messi bent in a wonderful free-kick against Ecuador on September 8 in what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

No way 36 years old Messi made 116M Chelsea man Caicedo eat grass. No way.😭

pic.twitter.com/1TIdEq24gc

— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) September 8, 2023

It is the first time since 1986 that the Albiceleste are beginning the qualifiers as the defending champions following their heroics in Qatar last year. They beat France on post-match penalties in an enthralling final.

Messi was in the mood at the Estadio Más Monumental. Apart from the goal, he employed his characteristic moves of trickery to help his side advance the ball forward. One of his victims was Chelsea’s new marquee signing, Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo, who has quickly become a midfield lynchpin for Ecuador, found himself on the wrong side of Messi as he attempted to close him down. The 115 million euros signing from Brighton was turned inside out, with the former Barcelona man managing to keep the ball out of his grasp.

Moises Caicedo… Man never give up 💙👌👏💪#ARGEQU pic.twitter.com/VYp7rNEZXK

— Frank (@Frank_Quote) September 8, 2023

The new Chelsea man is known for his timely interceptions and ball retrievals, but against Messi, he found his match. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner dropped a shoulder, pretended to go one way before quickly turning. He then slowed his pace before picking it up almost at the same time, leaving Caicedo sprawling on the turf.

The movement echoed what Messi did to Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol during the World Cup semifinal last year. But unlike the Gvardiol situation, Caicedo was lucky to see the aftermath not result in a goal.

South American gangster football 👊
pic.twitter.com/J3VnnDSLWF

— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) September 8, 2023

Photo Credit: FCBAlbiceleste/ X

Tags: Argentina, Ecuador, Lionel Messi, Moises Caicedo

Moises Caicedo is already the brunt of jokes at Cobham following his £115million British-record transfer from Brighton.

The Ecuador international completed his dream Chelsea move on Monday after brutally snubbing Liverpool and it appears he has needed no time at all to settle into his new surroundings.

That’s because Ben Chilwell has posted an Instagram story mocking his new team-mate as he attempted to brave an ice bath.

“Can’t handle the ice bath bro?” Chilwell posted on Instagram while videoing a sheepish Caicedo creeping into the ice bath.

Caicedo had covered his upper body in a towel as he slowly edged down the stairs and into the freezing cold pool.

Other players and staff members can be seen giggling as Caicedo covered his face with his towel.

The 21-year-old is believed to have been in contact with a number of senior players ahead of his move to Chelsea.

He is already following the crux of his new team-mates on Instagram as he prepares to potentially make his debut this weekend at West Ham.

Speaking to the club’s website, Caicedo explained his love for Chelsea after previously being pictured in a Chelsea shirt several years ago in Ecuador.

“Makelele and Kante were an inspiration to me,” he declared on his first day at Cobham.

Moisés Caicedo cannot handle the ice bath. 😂🥶

(@BenChilwell's Instagram)pic.twitter.com/DgHl7aR74e

— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) August 15, 2023

“They were so humble on the pitch. I think I can say we share similar qualities, but they were better. But now I am going to give everything for this club because they did so much for me.

“When I was a kid, I supported Chelsea and used to watch the games. Now it is amazing to be here. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I can’t wait to start with the guys, to give my best and to write my own story.”

Caicedo appeared to force his way out of Brighton despite signing a new long-term contract with the club earlier in the year.

Tags: Chelsea, Moises Caicedo

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Moises Caicedo in a £115million deal from Brighton on an eight-year contract.

The Seagulls had been keen to keep hold of their man and rejected several bids from the Blues, before accepting Liverpool’s £110m offer late on Thursday.

However, the Ecaudor has been set on a move to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea came back in with a huge offer of £115m which was accepted, and he has now put pen to paper.

“I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club,” Caicedo said.

“It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team.”

Tags: Brighton, Chelsea, Moises Caicedo

Chelsea have made a dig at Liverpool on social media after capturing Moises Caicedo in a record-breaking £115million deal.

The Blues had made Caicedo their primary transfer target and have been trying to strike a deal for his services all summer. However, Liverpool appeared to have stolen a march in the race for the 21-year-old’s signature after submitting a £111m offer prior to Sunday’s Premier League meeting between the two sides.

But after Caicedo made it clear that he had no appetite to discuss a move to Anfield, Chelsea returned to Brighton with a proposal which smashes the current British transfer record in order to get their man – and they were quick to rub Liverpool’s nose in it on Monday evening.

Shortly after confirming Caicedo was officially a Chelsea player, the Blues shared a social media clip of Caicedo alongside his mother donning both the current club shirt and an old strip, complete with the mischievous caption: “It’s only ever been Chelsea”.

Unsurprisingly, the cheeky post went down a storm with elated Chelsea fans online, and they also got to hear from the man himself following the completion of his dream transfer.

Speaking to Chelseafc.com, Caicedo said: “I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club. It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team.”

Impossible not to smile. 💙 pic.twitter.com/k6Vn14G4za

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 14, 2023

Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley also commented on the record transfer, adding: “Moises has proved himself as a standout player in European football over the past 18 months, and we are thrilled to add him to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.

“Moises possesses a rare midfield skill set and is a player we’ve been targeting for some time. We believe he will make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge this season – and in the years ahead.”

As well as beating Liverpool to a deal for Caicedo, Chelsea are also poised to pinch Romeo Lavia from under the Reds’ noses, with the Belgian midfielder ready to complete a switch to Stamford Bridge from Southampton in a deal worth £50m plus add-ons.

It was never in doubt. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Fr11B6Lclp

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 14, 2023

Tags: Chelsea, Liverpool, Moises Caicedo

Chelsea are on the verge of completing a British record £115million swoop for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Following weeks of discussions and failed bids, the Blues have agreed a fee for the Ecuador midfielder that will see Brighton earn a minimum £100m plus a further £15m in add-ons.

It is hoped that the 21-year-old can undergo a medical in the next 48 hours before signing a long-term contract with the Stamford Bridge side.

Caicedo appeared to be close to joining Liverpool last week after the Reds saw a £111m bid accepted by Brighton.

But Chelsea chiefs have made major progress over the previous 48 hours and and agreement had been struck with Brighton owner Tony Bloom. Former Brighton recruitment specialist Paul Winstanley now at Chelsea, is said to have been at the forefront of the deal.

Around half of the £15m add-ons are said to be easily achievable, while the remainder are believed to be significantly harder to meet.

With that in mind Chelsea believe they will end up paying a similar fee that they forked out for Enzo Fernandez, who joined from Benfica in January for £107m – the current British record.

It represents excellent business for Brighton, who bought Caicedo for a bargain £4.5m from Independiente del Valle in 2021.

Chelsea are also offering around £55m for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, who has also been the subject of three failed bids from Liverpool.

The Blues had been linked with a move for Caicedo throughout the summer, though there were fears on Friday that Liverpool would hijack a move for the Brighton star.

Liverpool agreed a £111m fee with Brighton, leaving Chelsea needing to up their offer for the Ecuadorian international.

Chelsea though never gave up on their priority target and appear to have won the race for his signature after agreeing a £115m move.

Tags: Brighton, Chelsea, Moises Caicedo

Liverpool are on the verge of completing an English-record deal for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.

It’s claimed Jurgen Klopp’s side have submitted a bid worth up to £110million, with Fabrizio Romano claiming Brighton are ready to accept the fee.

Liverpool and Brighton are preparing all documents for Caicedo deal after an agreement reached on £110m deal after late night bid.

The Anfield club want to avoid surprises and then book medical tests on Friday, deal to be completed on player side early morning.

Caicedo, 21, had seemed destined to join Chelsea this summer but he is now slated to join Liverpool as early as Friday.

Tags: Chelsea, Liverpool, Moises Caicedo

Brighton CEO Paul Barber has insisted the club will “understand” Moises Caicedo’s position on his future at the club amid transfer talks with Chelsea.

The Blues have seen three bids for Ecuador international Caicedo rejected, with the latest £80million proposal falling short of Brighton’s £100m price tag on the 21-year-old.

Reports say Brighton are marginally disappointed with the way Moisés Caicedo’s representatives have handled the last few days.

They, however, will not rule out a sale, but only if the fee meets their valuation.

The player missed training on Monday in a bid to force through his exit having been denied a move to Arsenal in January.

Seagulls chief Barber is adamant that the club will be “realistic” in dealing with Chelsea’s interest but expects him to feature for his club in the new season nonetheless.

He told Sky Sports: “For a young player like Moises at 21, he’s probably one of the best midfield players in the world already at his age, and we’ve had a fantastic time working with him.

“And we want it to continue, we’ve got him under a long contract.

“We’re also realistic to know there is interest in him. As a young man, that interest is inevitably going to have an impact on your thought process and unsettle you a little bit. We understand that.

“But for now, he’s a Brighton player, he’s under contract. We expect him to work hard, prepare for the new season and we’ll see what happens as the window goes on.”

Caicedo sat out the weekend friendly against Rayo Vallecano due to a minor hamstring injury and Barber refused to confirm whether or not he would be in the squad for Saturday’s Premier League kick-off against Luton.

He added: “The window’s got a long way to go, we’d love to keep him. He’s a really important player, we’ll see where we are.”

Caicedo reportedly spotted with his agent in London on Monday night.

Tags: Brighton, Chelsea, Moises Caicedo

Chelsea may have been given a huge boost in their attempts to sign Moises Caicedo with the midfielder left out of Brighton’s final friendly against Rayo Vallecano. The Blues have had four bids rejected for Caicedo with Brighton holding out for £100million.

Mauricio Pochettino has already stated on numerous occasions that he wants new midfield recruits with the club letting go of Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer.

Caicedo has stayed quiet on the transfer saga so far while Roberto De Zerbi has admitted there is a possibility the midfielder will leave.

The transfer saga has now taken a new twist as Caicedo has been left out of Brighton’s matchday squad for their final pre-season game.

But Caicedo will play no part in the match with Sky Sports claiming he’s been ‘given the weekend off to focus on the Premier League opener’. The report suggests that Caicedo’s absence has nothing to do with Chelsea’s interest in the midfielder.

Brighton are said to be confident that their £100million asking price won’t be matched this summer. Chelsea’s last offer was reportedly worth a whopping £80m with £75m paid up front.

Brighton boss De Zerbi appears relaxed about Caicedo’s situation after talks with the club’s owner Tony Bloom. He said last month: “I spoke with Tony Bloom and he told me if the conditions don’t change, Moises stays with us.

“For me, it should be great news because it is difficult to find another great player. If Moises leaves, we have to find another player of the same level.”

Tags: Brighton, Chelsea, Moises Caicedo

Chelsea fans have added their voices to their club’s effort to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, asking the Seagulls to accept the west London club’s latest offer of £80m for the Ecuadorian.

Chelsea made Caicedo their top target once last season concluded and have now seen three bids for his services rejected, despite the player being keen to make the move to Chelsea.

Brighton believe that the 21-year-old is worth £100m, though the Blues are not willing to meet such a valuation. With uncertainty surrounding the transfer now, The Times report that the player and his camp will take matters into their own hands.

The midfielder is said to be keen to join Chelsea and will therefore, with the help of his entourage, attempt to ‘persuade’ Brighton to reduce their asking price so that a transfer can be facilitated. Caicedo is reportedly ‘growing frustrated’ by the situation but would like to handle the matter ‘sensitively’, having failed to force his way out of the club in January.

Now, the Blues fans have joined the efforts to put pressure on Brighton by taking their campaigns to social media a hashtag #FreeCaicedo trending on Twitter to drive home their point.

One of them stated: “Free Caicedo Brighton…..Free the poor boy he has a lot of family to cater for …Allow him to go..”

Another one advised Caicedo: “He needs to send in a transfer request, or don’t train with the squad just to force Brighton hands”

Spread the word. #FreeCaicedo. pic.twitter.com/KrNzf7s86r

— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) July 27, 2023

#FreeCaicedo pic.twitter.com/wkxftshtoY

— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) July 29, 2023

I speak for all @chelsea fans when I say : @ChelseaFC will #FreeCaicedo and never do business with @OfficialBHAFC again. pic.twitter.com/DPV52Ze5Gw

— 👑 O.L.U.W.A.T.O.B.I. 👑 (@kingcodedlee) July 25, 2023

It's now or never! #FreeCaicedo pic.twitter.com/02F2WDAL2K

— 𝗔 𝗪 𝗪 𝗔 𝗟 🇳🇬 (@CFCAwwaL) July 25, 2023

Dear @MoisesCaicedo55,

Hand in the transfer request, they’re stopping you from reaching your true potential. #FreeCaicedo pic.twitter.com/Gk9Tvsi0tB

— 𝐕𝐀𝐑 ☘️ (@Ziyechman) July 29, 2023

#FreeCaicedo #freecaicedo#FreeCaicedo

— John Nelson (@Nelsonnero36) July 28, 2023

Dear @MoisesCaicedo55,

Hand in the transfer request, they’re stopping you from reaching your true potential

Your promise hasn’t been fulfilled, they’ve betrayed you & your trust

You can dominate football alongside Enzo & actually win things — do the right thing#FreeCaicedo pic.twitter.com/Gw7dDpnIQZ

— Vᴅʏᴋ (@VdykCFC) July 24, 2023

He needs to send in a transfer request, or don't train with the squad just to force Brighton hands

— Williams ⚡💙 (@CFC_williams10) July 28, 2023

#FreeCaicedo Get it trending pic.twitter.com/FS35dBAWaB

— MaMo (@mamo_chelsea) July 24, 2023

Free Caicedo Brighton…..Free the poor boy he has a lot of family to cater for …Allow him to go..

— Isaac Acquaye-Hopeson (@TheEraofHope) July 27, 2023

Brighton should pls Free Caicedo na #FreeCaicedo pic.twitter.com/mJiUHwuAEk

— wᴇᴀʟᴛʜ_𝕏 (@Wealth__X) July 24, 2023

#FreeCaicedo he wants to leave, he's sending a message to @OfficialBHAFC pic.twitter.com/4cI1zdvuHs

— Ecstasy Media (@Ecstasy_262) July 25, 2023

#FreeCaicedo #FreeCaicedo #FreeCaicedo #FreeCaicedo #FreeCaicedo #FreeCaicedo pic.twitter.com/OPahtDZPzH

— THE CHELSEA FORUM (@TheChelseaForum) July 28, 2023

Shameless club

— tyga (@afctyga) July 24, 2023

@MoisesCaicedo55 push for the transfer request mate 😭🙏🫂💙

— Rich_lazborn001❤️🦅🫶 (@Rich_lazborn001) July 24, 2023

Tags: Brighton, Chelsea, Moises Caicedo