Moises Caicedo has started off strongly from where he left off in the 2023/24 season with Chelsea. He’s been Chelsea’s best player in the 2024/25 season, winning balls, breaking down play, and doing the impossible. And that’s quite not surprising.
Chelsea’s history is built on dominant defensive midfielders, warriors who have protected the backline, disrupted opposition attacks, and provided the foundation for title-winning teams.
Claude Makélélé, Michael Essien, Nemanja Matić, and N’Golo Kanté – these are the players whose legacies now rest on Caicedo’s shoulders. Each of them defined an era, and now, the Ecuadorian midfield general has the chance to follow in their footsteps and lead Chelsea back to Premier League and European glory.
Let’s take a look at the combative midfielders who shaped Chelsea’s success and how they set the blueprint for Caicedo’s rise.
1. Claude Makélélé – The Man Who Defined a Role
Chelsea Years: 2003 – 2008
Trophies Won: 2x Premier League, 2x League Cup, 1x FA Cup
When Claude Makélélé arrived at Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2003, he completely transformed the way defensive midfielders were perceived in football. He was so good that his position was literally renamed “The Makélélé Role.”
Makélélé wasn’t the most physically dominant, but his positional awareness, intelligence, and anticipation made him a nightmare for opposition attackers. He constantly won possession, shielded the defense, and allowed Chelsea’s creative players to thrive. Under José Mourinho, he was the glue that held the midfield together as Chelsea won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06, setting records for defensive solidity.
Like Makélélé, Caicedo thrives in the deeper midfield role, winning duels and setting the tempo. His ability to intercept passes and recover possession mirrors the legendary Frenchman. If Chelsea are to return to the top, Caicedo must channel his inner Makélélé and provide the same balance to the team.
2. Michael Essien – The Bison Who Conquered Midfields
Chelsea Years: 2005 – 2014
Trophies Won: 2x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 4x FA Cup, 1x League Cup
If Makélélé was the brains, Michael Essien was the muscle. Nicknamed “The Bison” for his incredible strength and work rate, Essien was a midfield powerhouse who could win tackles, carry the ball forward, and unleash unstoppable long-range shots.
Essien’s box-to-box dynamism was crucial to Chelsea’s domination under Mourinho, helping the club retain the Premier League title in 2005/06. But perhaps his most defining moment came in the 2008/09 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, where he scored a breathtaking volley from 25 yards.
Like Essien, Caicedo combines power with technique. He is aggressive, fearless in tackles, and covers huge areas of the pitch. If Chelsea are to challenge for the Premier League again, they need Caicedo to provide the same physicality and energy that Essien once did.
3. Nemanja Matić – The Silent Destroyer
Chelsea Years: 2014 – 2017
Trophies Won: 2x Premier League, 1x FA Cup, 1x League Cup
When Nemanja Matić rejoined Chelsea in 2014, he brought back an element that had been missing since the departure of Makélélé and Essien – midfield dominance.
Under José Mourinho in 2014/15, Matić was an absolute rock in midfield, forming a perfect partnership with Cesc Fàbregas. His physical presence, tactical discipline, and tackling ability were key to Chelsea’s Premier League title win that season.
Matić also played a crucial role in Chelsea’s 2016/17 title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte, where his defensive contributions allowed N’Golo Kanté to flourish. His unforgettable long-range strike against Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final remains one of the club’s greatest goals.
Caicedo has the potential to be Chelsea’s new Matić – a defensive midfielder who brings stability, intelligence, and leadership to a young Chelsea side. If Chelsea are to dominate again, they will need Caicedo to be as calm, composed, and effective as Matić was.
4. N’Golo Kanté – The Relentless Engine
Chelsea Years: 2016 – 2023
Trophies Won: 1x Premier League, 1x Champions League, 1x FA Cup, 1x Europa League
Few midfielders in football history have been as influential as N’Golo Kanté. When Chelsea signed him from Leicester in 2016, he became the heartbeat of Antonio Conte’s title-winning side. His ability to cover every blade of grass, win duels, and launch counter-attacks made him an indispensable player.
But Kanté’s greatest moment came in 2021, when he produced a Champions League campaign for the ages, dominating the midfield in the final against Manchester City. His performances in the semi-finals against Real Madrid and the final itself earned him the Man of the Match award in both games.
Caicedo has already shown glimpses of Kanté’s relentless work rate and ball-winning ability. If he continues developing, he could become Chelsea’s next midfield engine, driving them to Premier League and Champions League success just like Kanté did.
Can Caicedo Inspire Chelsea to Glory?
The answer is simple: Yes, if given the right team around him.
Every Premier League and Champions League-winning Chelsea team has been built on a dominant defensive midfielder. Makélélé, Essien, Matić, and Kanté were all the foundation stones for Chelsea’s greatest achievements.
Caicedo has the qualities of all four – the intelligence of Makélélé, the power of Essien, the discipline of Matić, and the energy of Kanté. If Chelsea can build a solid midfield around him, he has the ability to lead them to Premier League and European glory once again.
FAQ – Moises Caicedo and Chelsea’s Defensive Midfield Legends
1. Who was Chelsea’s greatest defensive midfielder of all time?
Claude Makélélé is widely regarded as Chelsea’s greatest defensive midfielder, as he redefined the role and was the foundation of back-to-back Premier League titles under José Mourinho.
2. How does Moises Caicedo compare to Chelsea’s past midfield legends?
Caicedo has a mix of Makélélé’s intelligence, Essien’s power, Matić’s composure, and Kanté’s work rate. If he continues improving, he could become just as influential as they were.
3. Can Caicedo help Chelsea win the Premier League?
Yes! Chelsea have always won titles with a world-class defensive midfielder. If Caicedo plays at his peak and Chelsea build a strong squad around him, he could be key to the club’s next major triumph.
4. Is Caicedo Chelsea’s best player in 2024/25?
Based on his performances so far, yes. He has been Chelsea’s most consistent and impactful player, dominating midfields and giving Chelsea the strength they need to compete at the top again.
