Enzo Maresca names Chelsea player who is "one of the best" in the world after Tottenham win

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has branded midfielder Moises Caicedo as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and believes the former Brighton and Hove Albion man could even be the very best in the role.

Caicedo helped the Blues to a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night. The Ecuadorian joined Chelsea for a mega £115m back in the summer of 2023 and has enjoyed improved form since Maresca’s arrival at the club over the summer.

Enzo Fernandez scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge but Caicedo did have a stunning volley ruled out soon after that strike due to an offside in the build-up. Spurs also had a goal ruled out as Caicedo was adjudged to have been fouled just moments previous - in a decision that left Ange Postecoglou unhappy.

Enzo Maresca hails Moises Caicedo

Speaking about his midfielder, Chelsea boss Maresca said after the game: “Moi Caicedo is so humble, so kind… so good. He’s one of the best, if not the best, defensive midfielder in the world right now. The best thing about Moi is that every day he's working very seriously. He’s an example”.

On the result, he added: "The result is an important part because we are close to the end of the season. At the same time we try to achieve the result playing in the way we want to play. At some moments the team was very good, then we don't work every day, we don't like to finish the game like we did in the last five minutes. If we want to become an important team we need to win in a dirty way, ugly way and [I'm] quite happy.

"Overall, I think it was a very good performance, I think we deserved to win the game we created enough chances already in the first half to score. In the last 10 minutes I think the team showed effort, togetherness, spirit and it's something that we need.

"If you measure on the result then for sure if we achieve Champions League is an important thing but from my point of view, I try to see how we improve day by day and I can see, since the first day, I think the team is getting better and better."

Stats behind Moises Caicedo’s Chelsea form

The defensive midfielder has played in all 30 of Chelsea’s Premier League games so far and has averaged 2.9 tackles per game this season, along with 1.4 interceptions. He has made the third most tackles in the division this season with 88, a total only bettered by Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz and Idrissa Gueye of Everton - who have 94 and 112 respectively. Only six players have made more passes this season also.

He has scored just one goal and provided two assists but that is no surprise given the defensive work that he puts in. The win over Spurs moved Chelsea back into fourth as they look to book their spot in the Champions League for next season.