Why did Caicedo refuse Liverpool to go to Chelsea?
Chelsea pursued Caicedo from the beginning of the summer. But after many negotiations, they could not close the price to buy Caicedo, with the last time being $ 101 million in early August but was refused because it was far from Brighton's desired level of $ 127 million.
On August 10, Liverpool suddenly entered the game, offered $ 139 million and was immediately agreed by Brighton. The deal is only waiting for the nod of the 21-year-old midfielder. But Caicedo flatly refused, just wanted to join Chelsea, even moved to London and agreed on personal terms with "The Blues".
The situation forced Chelsea to spend money to buy with Caicedo. After closing the price with Brighton - 146 million, a British transfer record - on August 13, they had a medical check and signed an eight-year contract with the young Ecuadorian star and announced him on August 14.
His rejection of Liverpool for Chelsea was explained by Caicedo in his launch press conference later in the day. He said that wearing a Chelsea shirt is a dream and aspiration since he was a child when he watched the rock idols of the same position as Claude Makelele and N'golo Kante play in the color of the London club.
From a young age, in his hometown of Santo Domingo, in the foothills of the Andes mountains in northern Ecuador, Caicedo watched Makelele compilation videos online, studying the player's positional play and ability to win the ball. France played for Chelsea from 2003-2008.
In 2016, Caicedo, at the age of 15, started his career as a professional player with the reserve team of his hometown club Independiente del Valle, in turn his idol N'golo Kante joined Chelsea. When a friend asked what he wanted for his 18th birthday, Caicedo replied that the shirt had the name Kante on it. He then received a shirt with his name on it and a shirt with Kante's name on it.
"Makelele and Kante are an inspiration to me," Caicedo said on his first day at Chelsea's Cobham headquarters. "They are very humble on the pitch. I think we have similar qualities, but they are much better. When I was a kid, I supported and often watched Chelsea games. I can't wait to play, tribute. give your all and write your own story."
Like all Chelsea fans, Caicedo was excited to see the new look of the club under new manager Mauricio Pochettino in the Premier League opening match against Liverpool 1-1. At the new club, the 21-year-old midfielder will combine with Enzo Fernandez and most likely Romeo Lavia in the midfield.
"I watched this match at the hotel," Caicedo revealed. "Chelsea are playing very well. I want to be on the pitch with them. I like this style of play, and I'm sure I will adapt very quickly. I don't hope, but I'm sure we will win a lot. title to bring Chelsea back to its original position."
Caicedo is the youngest child in a family of 10 siblings. When asked about his priorities off the pitch and what it means to move to Chelsea, the 21-year-old spoke with maturity and pride. "My family is the most important thing," he insisted. "I also know a lot of children in Ecuador follow me. I have to set an example for them. I want to represent my country in the best way possible. The people of Ecuador support, wear my shirt, and It's also an inspiration for me to keep working hard."
Caicedo revealed that he had a very interesting conversation with coach Pochettino in Spanish - his native Ecuador language. The manager confirmed his desire to have Caicedo from the beginning of the summer when he first took over at Chelsea, and saw the defensive midfielder as a key element in the plan to revive the team after a tumultuous year and only finished 12th in the Premier League last season.
The most expensive player in English football history is eager to train with his new teammates. Caicedo can play the first match against West Ham in the second round of the English Premier League on August 20.
