Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo has finally explained his pivotal decision to join Chelsea instead of Arsenal two years ago, in a revealing interview that sheds light on one of the Premier League's most dramatic transfer sagas.
The £115 Million Decision
In a candid conversation with the Daily Mail, the 24-year-old confirmed that he was always holding out for a move to Chelsea, despite substantial interest from their London rivals. Arsenal had seen multiple offers for the Brighton star rejected, including one bid worth £70 million, before Chelsea secured his signature in a blockbuster £115 million deal.
"Everything happens for a reason," Caicedo reflected. "I almost did it but now I'm here and I'm so happy. The timing was good." The midfielder admitted that he deliberately waited for Chelsea's approach, even when others questioned his judgement. "People laughed. They said I chose the wrong place, but sometimes you need time to adapt to a big team. I needed that."
Finding Form Under Maresca
After struggling to find consistent form during his debut season at Stamford Bridge, Caicedo has flourished under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca. The Ecuador international has now established himself as one of the Premier League's standout midfielders, justifying his record-breaking transfer fee.
Caicedo expressed deep gratitude towards Chelsea for their faith in him. "I want to give everything to this club because they didn't doubt me. I chose Chelsea because they have ambitions. I want to win trophies – more trophies with this club." His commitment to the Blues appears absolute, adding: "I would like to be here for a long time. I want to keep playing like this but get even better."
The Rice Comparison Ahead of Arsenal Clash
The timing of Caicedo's revelations is particularly significant as Chelsea prepare to face Arsenal in a crucial Premier League encounter this Sunday. The match will see Caicedo come up against Declan Rice, whom Arsenal signed after missing out on the Ecuadorian.
Chelsea manager Maresca, who previously worked with Rice at West Ham as an assistant to Manuel Pellegrini, dismissed direct comparisons between the two players. "He was younger," Maresca recalled of Rice. "I spent many extra sessions with Declan, one versus one, and you could see that he was already very good."
Maresca emphasized the different roles each player now occupies. "He's [Rice] not playing as a holding midfielder, he's playing forward, he's playing like Enzo Fernandez. It's a different position." The Chelsea boss praised Rice's development under Mikel Arteta, describing him as "a fantastic player and he's a complete player. He can defend, he can attack, he can do anything."
As both teams prepare for Sunday's showdown, Caicedo's words serve as a reminder of what might have been for Arsenal, while Chelsea supporters will be delighted to hear their record signing's unwavering commitment to the club's long-term project.
