MX23RW : Friday, November 8 07:00:19| >> :120:29537:29537:

Moises Caicedo: 'I did not handle price tag when joining Chelsea'

Caicedo: 'I did not handle price tag when joining Chelsea'
© Reuters
Moises Caicedo says he "felt the pressure" when he left Brighton & Hove Albion to join Chelsea for a British-record transfer fee.

Moises Caicedo has acknowledged that it took time for him to adjust to being signed by Chelsea for a British transfer record.

Having played a key role in the progression of Brighton last season, Caicedo attracted admirers in Chelsea and Liverpool during the summer window.

Chelsea's long-term interest proved pivotal as the Ecuador international shunned the advances of Liverpool, yet the Blues were forced to pay £115m for his signature.

Although Caicedo has received harsher scrutiny than he probably deserves, the 22-year-old is yet to consistently show that Chelsea will get value for money from that particular piece of business.

Caicedo has been one of Chelsea's most regular performers, making a total of 30 starts and four substitute outings in all competitions.

Moises Caicedo signs for Chelsea on August 14, 2023© Chelsea FC

Nevertheless, he has admitted that he is still going through a period of adjustment at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea still yet to fulfil their potential under Mauricio Pochettino.

Speaking to the club's media team, Caicedo said: "At the beginning, I felt the pressure. In my mind, I wanted to show my best football and why the club paid the money for me.

"After that, I started to speak with people who helped me understand that if Chelsea signed me it's because I am worth it. I have kept on playing and I know I have to show my best on the pitch.

"Of course, I haven't played every game well and it was tough at the beginning, but now I feel good and feel I am helping the team. I am only thinking about the game and not what people are saying about me.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino reacts on February 7, 2024© Reuters

"Personally, now I am feeling good. I can see my gains and I am playing better and helping the team. That is important for me because when I don't play well, I get frustrated. It's my first season at Chelsea so it's normal that it took some time and I am learning in every game."

Caicedo has started 21 of Chelsea's 26 Premier League fixtures, although he missed the first fixture against Liverpool and was still settling into life at the club when he made his debut as a substitute against West Ham United the following week.

He penned a contract until the end of 2030-31 when agreeing to make the switch to West London and the former Independiente del Valle youngster is expected to remain at the club in the long term.

Chelsea have also invested in another player from Ecuador in Kendry Paez, who is already a regular alongside Caicedo for their national team, and Caicedo will be expected to help him settle once he makes the switch in 2025.

ID:538314:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3823:

Moises Caicedo future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Moises Caicedo

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
General view of Chelsea's Stamford Bridge taken April 2018
Read Next:
Kendry Paez has visa accepted ahead of Chelsea move
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!