Chelsea was criticized for making a mistake when buying Caicedo
This summer, Chelsea recruited Caicedo for a total cost of 146 million USD, including 127 million USD fixed and 19 million USD depending on individual performance. The Ecuadorian midfielder thereby became the most expensive player in English football history, breaking the old record of 137 million USD that Arsenal spent to buy midfielder Delcan Rice from West Ham in mid-July.
Meanwhile, on the last day of the transfer window, Man Utd signed a contract worth more than 32 million USD with Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina. Specifically, the owner of Old Trafford spent 10.7 million USD to borrow the Moroccan midfielder for one year with an option to buy outright for 21.6 million USD in the summer of 2024.
According to Leboeuf, Chelsea should buy Amrabat instead of Caicedo and see the Moroccan player as the perfect partner with Enzo Fernandez. "Chelsea is trying to find experienced players in the middle of the field. Why don't they think about Amrabat?", Leboeuf asked on ESPN on September 2. "Chelsea already has Caicedo, but for nearly 150 million USD. And Amrabat went to Man Utd on loan with a buyout clause for a total fee of more than 30 million USD. That's really a bargain."
Leboeuf played for Chelsea from 1996 to 2001, scoring 17 goals in 144 matches, winning two FA Cups, one League Cup, one English Super Cup, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and one European Super Cup. The former midfielder was also a member of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000 and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Leboeuf recalled that Amrabat demonstrated his talent and brilliance, helping Morocco become the first African team to reach the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup. "Amrabat is an experienced player. Why doesn't Chelsea think of these types of players?" like that?", the 55-year-old famous player continued to ask.
After moving to Chelsea for a record fee, Caicedo has not had any assists or scored any goals, but made two errors that led to goals in three matches. In the debut match, losing 1-3 to West Ham, the Ecuadorian midfielder fouled Emerson Palmieri in the penalty area, causing Chelsea to concede a goal on the penalty spot in injury time.
The 21-year-old continued to play badly in the 0-1 loss to Nottingham Forest in the fourth round of the Premier League on September 2. At the beginning of the second half, Caicedo caught a foul ball near the midfield circle, creating conditions for the away team to counterattack and score the only goal thanks to Anthony Elanga.
Before Nottingham, Caicedo started, touched the ball 69 times, lost the ball ten times, blocked once, passed with 89% accuracy but no key pass, before making room for Ha. Lan Ian Maatsen in the 77th minute.
ESPN gave Caicedo 5 points, the lowest on Chelsea's side, and only 4 points ahead of Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal striker squandered two good opportunities, including a cross-angle shot blocked by midfielder Scott McKenna in the first half, and a cushion shot over the bar in front of an empty goal at the end of the second half.
The loss at home caused Chelsea to drop to 11th with four points, below Nottingham. After a two-week break to make room for the national team, Caicedo and his teammates will be guests of Bournemouth on September 17.
