Why Moisés Caicedo starts at Chelsea over Enzo Fernández: “They give that physical bearing” :: Olé Ecuador

In a period of just three days, <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/premier-league-manchester-citys-turnover-for-the-first-time-higher-than-manchester-uniteds/" title="Premier League – Manchester City's turnover for the first time higher than Manchester United's”>Chelsea went from the joy of beating Newcastle 2-1 in the Premier League to losing 2-0 against the Magpies and being eliminated from the EFL Cup. In this series, Enzo Maresca opted for two completely different teams, which sparked some criticism.

Although he changed everything from the goalkeeper to the area reference from one match to the next, this in order to manage the loads and physical wear and tear that it implies, the Italian strategist was asked if Enzo Fernández is indeed a substitute in his consideration and in any case, What is the reason for this determination. The response was overwhelming and he took the opportunity to praise Moisés Caicedo in the Blues midfield.

“Do I show frustration with Enzo (Fernández)? I show frustration with everyone. I don’t just look at Enzo. I still believe in Enzo. There is no reason why I should lose my trust in him,” Maresca began at a press conference. “The reason he’s not playing in the Premier League is because I make a different decision, but I still have 100% of my confidence in him.”he added.

Along those lines, seeking to get out of some controversial statement, he added: “They are looking for other reasons for Enzo, but there are none. “It’s simple: he’s not playing currently but we have a lot of games in the future so it doesn’t mean he won’t play more.”

Now, the Chelsea coach himself was in charge of explaining the reasons why the former River usually starts on the bench and the Ecuadorian in the eleven: have a more physical, stable and stronger midfield.

“Romeo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo give us that physical bearing, that strength in the middle. When we play with Enzo it has to be Enzo and one of them (Lavia or Caicedo). When Enzo moves, we suffer in the middle. Right now, Moi and Romeo give us that,” Maresca explained.

In full development of the changes he made from one match to another against the same rival, the Italian coach clarified that in the case of Enzo Fernández, he is one more where he has several options and has to make a decision, when in other positions he is one or another: “If Cole (Palmer) doesn’t play, Joao (Felix) plays, if Nico (Jackson) doesn’t play, Christo (Nkunku) plays.”

“The reason we changed players is because they are all good. Some are better than the rest, but that doesn’t mean they will always play. I would like to say that we do not have an A team or a B team, although there are players who are fantastic for me, but no one is indispensable,” Maresca concluded about the rotation.

On matchday 9 of the Premier League, which culminated with a 2-1 victory for the Blues against Newcastle, Moisés Caicedo was the star of the match, breaking two English league records.

In the match against Las Urracas, Niño Moi showed class in the midfield, demonstrating his great ability to recover balls, achieving seven interceptions, the most any player has had in a league match this season. But not only did he achieve that milestone, he also became the team’s first midfielder to reach that mark since 2018, when N’Golo Kanté did it against Tottenham in a match.

In addition, their defensive statistics lead the Premier. So far, Moi has made 32 tackles, ranking second behind only Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace) and Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), who have 33 each. In addition, he has 16 interceptions, which gives a total of 48 and places him at the top of his league. Numbers of a top player.

As if that were not enough, it is normal for him to be compared to Kanté, one of the best central midfielders of the last decade in the London team, who was a multiple international champion with the club. In Big Data, Moi has an average of 5.4 defensive actions per 90 minutes, the highest average recorded by a player from the blue team this season. The last to possess this statistic? The French midfielder himself, who in the 2020/2021 season averaged a total of 5.8 in these actions.

Moi continues to be key, not only defensively, but also because of his help creating the game. Those led by Enzo Maresca, as usual, relied on the creativity of Cole Palmer and the Ecuadorian’s solvency in the middle of the field to win from start to finish against the Magpies. The tricolor, immovable, once again completed the 90 minutes and established itself as a fixture.

With their victory, Chelsea recovered with three key points and dreams of fighting Liverpool (they must play against Arsenal) and Manchester City (they are leaders with 23 points). Of course, he must gain consistency and now he has a brave stop against Manchester United, at Old Trafford…