Enzo Maresca says player Chelsea signed for free is already a team leader

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says Tosin Adarabioyo is already one of the leaders of the team, despite only arriving this summer. The 26-year-old rejected an offer to become one of the highest-paid players at Fulham, and he reportedly turned down an advanced offer from Newcastle United as well.

The former Manchester City academy player has forced his way into the starting lineup, following an impressive performance against Bournemouth, which he built on in the win against West Ham.

When asked about working with Tosin so far, Maresca highlighted their relationship from their time together at Manchester City. He said: "Very impressed. I've known Tosin since City. Very impressed with him, the way he behaves on and off the pitch. He is one of the leaders in the dressing room. We are very delighted and happy with him."

Another player who has impressed many lately is record-signing Moises Caicedo, who has made more tackles than any other player in the league so far.

Caicedo has been remarkable, and his tactical understanding allows the manager to use him across different areas of the midfield, especially during build-up play. When asked about Caicedo's transformation this season, Maresca praised his mindset but also emphasized that there is still room for improvement.

He added: "He is a top player. He is very good, but like all top players, he can improve. For sure, he can improve. The way he is playing at the moment is fantastic.

"As for the price, it’s not Moi's problem. It’s the market that sometimes decides the price. Most of the time, because clubs pay a lot of money for players, we expect that player to always be the best, but it’s not like that.

"Moi has to enjoy, play, and work hard. The most important thing is for him to be happy and enjoy football—and not to think about these things because it’s not his problem. If a club pays for a player, it’s because the club decides, not because the player asks for that amount. It’s an agreement between the clubs. For the player, it’s just about enjoying playing football, and Moi does that very well, which is the most important thing."

Chelsea are looking to win four consecutive games in all competitions for the first time this season, but with the return of full-back Malo Gusto, a new tactical approach may be required compared to the style they've used in recent matches.