Moises Caicedo hasn’t lived up to his lofty price tag, since he made the switch from Brighton & Hove Albion (after an apparent deal with Liverpool fell through) to Chelsea FC this summer. However, he is certainly not alone in this regard, on Chelsea’s very bloated, historically expensive roster.
Plus, $146 million is a lot to pay for anybody. Unless you’re Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland or somebody at that level, it’s very hard to truly earn such an exorbitant transfer fee.
Chelsea FC vs Brighton & Hove Albion FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. Dec. 3, 4pm, Stamford Bridge, London, UK
Chelsea Preview Content: Starting XI Prediction Team News Detailed Injury List
Premier League Standing: Chelsea 10th, 16 pts, Brighton 8th, 22 pts
Google Result Probability: Chelsea 56% Brighton 22% Draw 22%
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Ahead of Caicedo facing his former team tomorrow, manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed the content of a one-on-one meeting staged between the Ecuadorian midfielder and the gaffer.
“Before this press conference, he was in my office for twenty minutes,” Pochettino said yesterday, at his weekly Friday/weekend match preview media session.
It is easy because we speak Spanish. It is a subconscious process [to adapt] and that is a problem – only in time can you adapt. We had no pre-season with him. We talk about footballers; it is physical and mental, and there is the talent. If you want to express your talent, you need to be clear in your mind and be good in your legs; otherwise, it is not possible to move.”
According to Pochettino, Caicedo has been struggling with a knock on his knee, plus the jet-lag of having to go in between hemispheres, twice, for every international break.
It can all add up and create wear and tear on the body. And the littlest things can keep you from being match fully match fit, and thus at the top of your game.
“Travelling to South America is tough, two or three weeks with us – 25 or 30 days – and then away for 10 or 12 days,” Poch added.
“Then, he came back with some issues with his knee. That didn’t help. It is not an excuse; it is the reality – we need time.”
He’s right, it’s not an excuse, and when you cost close to $150,000,000 to be transferred to your team, there are never any excuses.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.