Teamwork makes the dream work

BlueCo have signed a “wonderkid” who can turn into Chelsea’s new Caicedo & Enzo

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Not each signing has been successful, however over the previous couple of years, Chelsea has constructed a sensational squad.

On the again, the likes of Reece James, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana would probably begin for many groups within the Premier League.

Likewise, Cole Palmer is without doubt one of the finest attacking gamers in world soccer, and Estevao seems to be like somebody who might develop right into a world-class celebrity.

Lastly, Enzo Maresca has some unreal midfield choices as properly, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández the 2 standouts, and as if that wasn’t sufficient, Chelsea might properly have already got the proper inheritor to the pair of them.

How Fernández and Caicedo evaluate in 2025/26

Followers would possibly disagree about who Chelsea’s most essential participant is, however one factor most will certainly agree on is that Caicedo and Fernández are among the many candidates.

Enzo Fernandez

Nonetheless, how are they stacking up in opposition to each other to date this season?

Nicely, beginning with among the fundamental surface-level barometers, the Argentine has made 24 appearances, most of which have are available central midfield, and he has scored 5 objectives and offered two assists.

The Ecuadorian, alternatively, has made 21 first-team appearances, virtually all of which have come within the six, during which he is scored 4 objectives and offered one help.

Given the truth that the previous Brighton & Hove Albion gem performs deeper than his teammate, you’d most likely must say he nearly edges it in the case of output.

caicedo

Nonetheless, with six yellow playing cards and one pink in comparison with the previous Benfica man’s 4 yellows, he definitely comes out second finest in the case of temperament.

Okay then, which worldwide celebrity comes out wanting higher when evaluating their underlying numbers, then?

Unsurprisingly, the previous Seagulls ace comes out forward in each defensive metric, and the World Cup winner does higher within the extra attacking ones.

Nonetheless, metrics like passing accuracy, goal-creating actions and objectives per shot, all per 90, nearly tip the scales within the Santo Domingo-born monster’s favour.

Caicedo vs Fernández

Statistics per 90

Caicedo

Fernández

Non-Penalty Anticipated G+As

0.13

0.57

Progressive Passes

5.80

7.57

Progressive Carries

0.84

1.38

Objectives per Shot

0.27

0.10

Passing Accuracy

90.1

82.9

Key Passes

0.50

1.71

Shot-Creating Actions

2.35

3.36

Aim-Creating Actions

0.42

0.26

Tackles

3.11

1.58

Blocks

1.09

1.05

Interceptions

2.69

0.46

Clearances

1.09

0.79

Ball Recoveries

5.88

4.14

All Stats by way of FBref for the 25/26 PL Season

With all that mentioned, whereas Caicedo comes out wanting the higher participant, Fernández remains to be a vital a part of the Chelsea group, and now it appears the membership would possibly have already got a younger participant who may very well be moulded to succeed him or his midfield companion.

The unimaginable gem who might substitute Caicedo or Fernández

So then, to even be thought of as a possible future substitute for both Caicedo or Fernandez, a participant must be one thing particular.

The excellent news is, from what these within the know appear to recommend, Mohammad Zongo is simply that.

Earlier this month, it was introduced that the consortium that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg, BlueCo, had agreed to signal the Burkina Faso teenager.

He’s anticipated to hitch the French outfit in two years, as soon as he turns 18, and is seen as somebody with a future at Stamford Bridge.

With that mentioned, why is he somebody who may very well be the inheritor to one of many Blues’ two finest midfielders?

Nicely, firstly, he’s a positionally versatile prospect, somebody who can play in assault or deeper in midfield, which is probably going one of many causes Chelsea author Lloyd Canfield mentioned that the teenager “performs like a singular mixture of Estevao and Moises Caicedo.”

Furthermore, analyst Filipe Sousa has described {the teenager} phenom as “a whole and energetic box-to-box midfielder who contributes in each section of the sport.”

Sousa provides that the teenager is “technically clear and bodily sturdy”, which helps him to cowl area quickly, win the ball and assist begin assaults.

With an outline comparable to this, it is laborious not to consider Maresca’s Ecuadorian enforcer.

He is not simply an engine, although, with U23 scout Antonio Mango calling him a “magic” participant for his skill to create possibilities for his teammates.

Finally, there may be a very long time to go earlier than Chelsea followers see Zongo symbolize them, besides, it is laborious to not get excited in regards to the prospect of him being the long-term inheritor to Caicedo or Fernandez.

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