Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca actually is aware of the significance of Moises Caicedo.

Maresca has picked the Ecuadorian midfielder within the beginning line-up for 50 of his 51 Premier League matches at Chelsea.

Now, although, after a pink card within the 1-1 draw in opposition to Arsenal, Caicedo will miss three matches – at Leeds on Wednesday, and in opposition to Bournemouth and Everton.

Talking on Tuesday, Maresca gave Caicedo the identical billing as star attacker Cole Palmer.

“We’re a greater staff with Cole, we’re a greater staff with Moi,” mentioned Maresca.

Caicedo has been a key participant for the Blues up to now this season, and solely a late return from South America prevented him from beginning their 2-0 victory in opposition to Burnley after the November worldwide break.

Requested by BBC Sport about nonetheless profitable whereas resting his midfield lynchpin, Maresca mentioned: “I will not do it any extra. That is the final time!”

He might have been joking, however there’s maybe some reality behind his phrases.

Caicedo received each the membership’s gamers’ participant and followers’ participant of the season awards in 2024-25, and is regarded by his supervisor as one of many two greatest defensive midfielders on this planet, alongside Manchester Metropolis’s Rodri.

Statistics from soccer information supplier Opta again up that judgement.