Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has heaped huge praise on Moises Caicedo, hailing him as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football — alongside Manchester City’s Rodri.
Speaking after Chelsea’s impressive 1-0 win over Tottenham, Maresca was full of admiration for his midfield star.

“Moi is showing how good he is. He’s top,” said the Chelsea head coach.

“The best thing for him, he’s humble, such a good guy and is there to help everyone. Him and Rodri are the best defensive midfielders in the world.”

Caicedo was once again instrumental as Chelsea edged past Spurs at Stamford Bridge. The Ecuadorian dominated the midfield battle, combining defensive solidity with creative flair — and it was his precise assist that set up Joao Pedro’s decisive goal.

Since joining Chelsea, Caicedo has grown in confidence and consistency under Maresca’s management. His ability to break up play, dictate tempo, and link defence to attack has been central to the Blues’ recent run of strong performances.

Maresca’s comments underline just how much the Chelsea boss values the former Brighton man’s contribution — not just for his quality on the pitch, but also for his humility and team spirit.

With Rodri widely regarded as the benchmark for elite holding midfielders, being mentioned in the same breath highlights the huge strides Caicedo has made this season. And if his recent form is anything to go by, Chelsea fans can expect even more brilliance from their £115 million midfielder in the months ahead.

Who knows, he may leave a better legacy than Rodri at the end of his career.