Chelsea boss Maresca hails star midfielder after Spurs win

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has heaped glowing praise on Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo, describing him as “the best defensive midfielder in the world” following the Blues’ hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters after the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge, Maresca not only applauded Caicedo’s on-pitch performances but also highlighted the 22-year-old’s character, calling him “humble, kind, and incredibly hardworking.”

“Moi Caicedo is so humble, so kind… so good,” Maresca said. “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.”

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Caicedo was at the heart of Chelsea’s midfield dominance against Spurs, breaking up play and transitioning possession with composure. He nearly doubled Chelsea’s lead in the 58th minute, but his goal was disallowed by VAR following a controversial decision.

Earlier in the game, Enzo Fernández gave Chelsea the lead in the 50th minute, finishing off a fine move assisted by the in-form Cole Palmer. The narrow win sees Chelsea climb back into fourth place on the Premier League table with 52 points, edging out Manchester City, who sit at 51.

While some may consider Maresca’s declaration bold in a midfield landscape featuring the likes of Rodri, Casemiro, and Joshua Kimmich, the Chelsea boss appears convinced of Caicedo’s growing stature and influence in world football.

The former Brighton midfielder has steadily risen to become one of the key figures in Maresca’s Chelsea setup, combining defensive solidity with tactical intelligence and a high work rate — qualities the manager clearly values deeply.

With Chelsea chasing a Champions League spot and building momentum late in the season, Maresca will be hoping Caicedo continues to deliver performances worthy of the praise — and perhaps, even the title of world’s best.