Chelsea star determined to silence critics and become club 'legend'

Caicedo was signed by the Blues from Brighton in a record-breaking deal worth £115m in August 2023. It took some time for the midfielder to adapt to his new life in west London.

Chelsea fans, though, are finally starting to see the best of the 22-year-old Ecuador international, who has massively improved under boss Enzo Maresca.

Caicedo admits that he found things ‘little bit tough’ last term – but now he’s settled at Stamford Bridge – he has set a ‘target’ of becoming a Chelsea legend.

‘At the beginning of last season it was a little bit tough for me,’ Caicedo told the Chelsea website ahead of Sunday’s clash against Nottingham Forest.

‘It’s a very big club and you have to get used to it. I learned a lot. When someone new comes in with new ways, you need to adapt: to a new club and playing with the impression that you need to win every game.

‘Now I am more adapted to the club, with the new training staff, which is good. I have more confidence and I’m playing good football.

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‘My team-mates also have helped me a lot on and off the pitch. I’m really enjoying it.

‘As I said when I arrived here, I would like to become a legend here and that’s what I’m working hard to do every day. That’s the target.’

Caicedo faced a wave of criticism from several pundits last season, including former Chelsea players Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Frank Leboeuf.

Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, meanwhile, was left frustrated that the west Londoners signed Caicedo instead of Declan Rice.

‘If you’re spending £115m on Caicedo, surely you spend £120m on Declan Rice?’ Begovic said. ‘I don’t know Declan personally, I’m not saying he doesn’t want to play for Arsenal, but hand on heart I think he’d have wanted to go to Chelsea.

‘If we’re going to spend £230m on [Enzo Fernandez] and Caicedo then I’d prefer Declan Rice over any of those players if I can get him. Get the best players in through the door please.’