Graham Potter may prefer to sign Moises Caicedo instead of long-time target Declan Rice to shore up Chelsea’s midfield.
According to Give Me Sport, Moises Caicedo could become the preferred midfield target for Graham Potter, who may choose to look away from Declan Rice. The Chelsea midfield could go through a revamp, with the two Premier League stars high on their list.
Chelsea’s midfield needs revamping, and as they consider plenty of names. The lineup at Stamford Bridge starting next season could look much different than now. The Blues could disperse off with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante after the season, as the duo’s future remains in considerable doubt.
They have served well for many years and helped the club win the Champions League and Club World Cup. Kante has also achieved Premier League title success in his first season at Stamford Bridge. The club could go in a different direction after the current season.
Enzo Fernandez was Chelsea’s primary target before the move collapsed. There were disagreements over the fee with Benfica. The Blues remain hopeful of signing the Argentine World Cup winner one way or another. Whether that happens now in January or the summer remains the question.
The London giants are already looking into names to partner with the Argentine from next season. Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice the primary mentions on the list. The West Ham star has remained one of Chelsea’s long-time targets. Even after the current season, the England international would cost huge fees.
Arsenal could make a move for Rice, but as things stand, Chelsea remains the overwhelming favourites to sign him. Even the midfielder supposedly prefers a switch to Stamford Bridge, although the situation is a bit different than it was before.
The report suggests new boss Graham Potter could snub the chance to sign Rice and instead look to bring in Moises Caicedo. After coaching him at Brighton, the manager knows the Ecuadorian well and may look to integrate him into the fold at Stamford Bridge.
It will prove a bold call as Rice remains one of the names the fans want. He is also one of their former academy boys, which adds more impetus to making a dramatic return to the club. With Caicedo, Potter knows the player well and could envisage how he will fit into his style at Chelsea.
Caicedo is likely to cost around £85 million, from what reports suggested. Brighton have proved to be a hard negotiator in recent windows. Chelsea experienced it firsthand when they signed Marc Cucurella in the summer. Whether the Blues are willing to pay a high price for the 21-year-old Ecuadorian remains the question.
In hindsight, Rice remains a formidable option, and going by his seasoned performances, he would undoubtedly improve Chelsea’s midfield. Caicedo offers something different and more in terms of control. Potter may become inclined towards recreating a formula that worked so well for him at Brighton, and the 21-year-old was integral to his style.
Either of those midfielders will cost a lot of money to Chelsea or any other club. Brighton and West Ham are reluctant to part ways with their players this January window, meaning any bid would have to wait until the summer at least.
