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Brightonvs.Chelsea

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 May 2024, 10:32
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that one Chelsea player will be "much better" next season.

After a number of transfer windows where an array of new players have arrived at the club, Chelsea finally appear to be working more cohesively.

A run of 10 points being collected from four Premier League matches has left the Blues in control of their own fate in the race for seventh position in the standings.

On the back of a comeback draw against Aston Villa, Pochettino has since witnessed his team record wins over Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.

Chelsea now require one victory from fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth to ensure that they finish in seventh place, although sixth remains the target with the final European qualification spot going to the FA Cup if Manchester United defeat neighbours Manchester City.

Pochettino comments on Caicedo development

Moises Caicedo has been a hot topic of debate since he left Brighton & Hove Albion - Chelsea's opponents on Wednesday - for a British record transfer fee last summer.

The Ecuador international has recently started to become an influential part of the team, yet Pochettino has acknowledged that has not always been the case since the deal, which could potentially rise to £115m.

As quoted by The Mirror, Pochettino said: "I expect more from him even if he is doing well. I think next season I have no doubt he will be much better.

"Now he knows what it means to play for Chelsea, all of the pressure off. The players believe in the way that we work and they agree in the way we want to apply our philosophy and the way to play and that is fantastic.

"The idea to have players that really trust and believe and that is why the future will be amazing. He is one of the players that still has room to improve."

Is Caicedo's impact at Chelsea under-rated?

As soon as any player moves for an inflated fee, there is generally an acceptance that they will never fully justify the money that has been shelled out for their signature.

With the 22-year-old having failed to score in 46 appearances for Chelsea at a time when the team have spent the majority of the season moving around the mid-table positions in the Premier League, it is easy to make a rash judgment.

On the flip side, Caicedo has been a constant fixture in the squad, while Chelsea failed to defeat both Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers when Caicedo was not involved.

Caicedo also only made a 21-minute substitute outing when Chelsea were thrashed 4-1 at Newcastle United, further highlighting his influence in the team.

Some of the criticism has stemmed from an unproductive partnership with Enzo Fernandez, with Caicedo only flourishing of late due to working with Conor Gallagher and Chelsea playing with a far more attack-minded strategy.

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