Moises Caicedo for me is a lot like N’Golo Kante in terms of style of play. Let’s be honest, he is Chelsea’s Kante’s successor.
Despite popular belief, Kante was not a defensive midfielder. He was always compared with Claude Makelele, but they played in different midfield positions. Kante was called a defensive midfielder as a misconception because he was so good at tackling and intercepting. And yes, good players can play in most positions and still be decent there, but Kante’s best position and where he actually played the most was as a box to box centre midfielder. Asking Kante to sit for me was criminal. He needs to roam and win the ball back higher up the pitch. His energy needs to be up and down the pitch all game and not sitting. And that’s where we always saw the best Kante.
Caicedo, who has so many similar traits and qualities as Kante, is also best as a box to box midfielder. Caicedo can also play as a defensive midfielder, of course he can. But I think having him further up the pitch is always going to be better and more beneficial, he also has something that Kante never did have, a real goal threat and a dangerous long range shot. So why wouldn’t you want him further up the field?
Andrey Santos allows Caicedo to roam more, and he also gives more freedom to Enzo Fernandez. Santos can also play as a box to box midfielder, but his best traits are as a 6 for me, and he’s been proving that with his recent form for Chelsea. He’s provided stability and allowed both Caicedo and Fernandez to roam with more freedom, knowing they have the safety blanket of Santos behind them working his socks off and shutting out danger.
Against Crystal Palace, Santos became the first Chelsea midfielder in the last 10 seasons to have 3+ in the following metrics in a Premier League game:
◉ Tackles
◉ Interceptions
◉ Clearances
◉ Fouls won
Santos’ game by numbers vs Palace:
86 touches
7 duels won
5 interceptions
4x possession won
4 final third entries
3 tackles
3 clearances
3 fouls won
The Brazilian international isn’t just a quality player and in some good form, he also has a very good head on his shoulders and is very mature. He speaks so well, seems super smart, and has a top mentality and attitude.
Asked whether Estevao Willian possesses Neymar-level talent, Santos said: “Of course. I told him he’s a top player – he’s a superstar.
“He’s done so well because it’s not easy to come from another culture with another language. It’s hard, but he’s done it very well.
“I’m so happy to play with him here and also for the national team.”
Santos knows Liam Rosenior well, having worked together at Strasbourg, and that will be benefitting both of them right now.
The midfielder added: “I knew Liam already, so it’s been important for me that he’s here. I’m so happy.
“He’s given me a lot of confidence, but it’s not only me, it’s to a lot of the other players as well.
“He wants every player to work hard and fight with an elite mentality to win games and trophies.”
Santos wants to win it all at Chelsea.
He told SunSport: “My goal this season is to win every trophy possible.
“At home I say to my wife and my family that in football, anything can happen.
“One day I was young, playing in the streets. Now I’m 21 and playing in the Champions League and for my country.
“When you talk about Chelsea, you have to win games and you have to win trophies.
“We know Napoli is a hard game, but we’ll work hard and train hard to be ready.”
A top, top guy, and an all round very decent football player.
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