Though not all signings have been profitable, Chelsea have constructed a sensational workforce in recent times.
Within the ultimate half, the likes of Reece James, Mark Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are more likely to begin for many Premier League groups.
Equally, Cole Palmer is among the greatest attacking gamers in world soccer, and Estevao appears to be like like a participant who may develop right into a world-class famous person.
Lastly, Enzo Maresca additionally has some unrealistic midfield choices, together with two standouts in Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes, and as if that wasn’t sufficient, Chelsea might have already got the proper successors for each of them.
Comparability of Fernandes and Caicedo in 2025/26
Followers could also be divided on who Chelsea’s most necessary gamers are, however most would positively agree that Caicedo and Fernandes are on the record.
However how do they stack up towards one another up to now this season?
Properly, beginning with a number of the primary surface-level barometers, the Argentine performed 24 video games, largely in central midfield, scoring 5 targets and registering two assists.
In the meantime, the Ecuadorian has made 21 appearances for the primary workforce, nearly all of them in six video games, scoring 4 targets and offering one help.
Given the truth that the previous Brighton & Hove Albion expertise performs deeper than his team-mates, you’d in all probability must say he nearly wins when it comes to output.
Nonetheless, he’s arguably the second greatest when it comes to temperament, with six yellow playing cards and one crimson card in comparison with the previous Benfica participant’s 4.
Okay, so which worldwide famous person appears to be like higher once you examine the underlying numbers?
Unsurprisingly, the previous Seagulls ace excels in all facets of protection, whereas the World Cup winner is even higher in assault.
Nonetheless, metrics resembling passing accuracy, goal-producing actions, and targets per shot all rating 90 factors, largely within the Santo Domingo-born monster’s favor.
Caicedo vs Fernandez | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics per 90 | caicedo | Fernandes |
Anticipated G+A with out penalty | 0.13 | 0.57 |
progressive path | 5.80 | 7.57 |
progressive carry | 0.84 | 1.38 |
Objectives per shot | 0.27 | 0.10 |
go accuracy | 90.1 | 82.9 |
key go | 0.50 | 1.71 |
Actions that create pictures | 2.35 | 3.36 |
Motion to create a purpose | 0.42 | 0.26 |
sort out | 3.11 | 1.58 |
block | 1.09 | 1.05 |
intercept | 2.69 | 0.46 |
clearance | 1.09 | 0.79 |
ball assortment | 5.88 | 4.14 |
All stats for the 25/26 PL season (by way of FBref) | ||
That mentioned, whereas Caicedo appears to be like like the higher participant, Fernandes stays an integral a part of the Chelsea workforce, and it seems the membership might have already got a younger participant who may very well be his successor or associate in midfield.
Unbelievable expertise who may substitute Caicedo or Fernandes
Due to this fact, a participant needs to be one thing particular to be thought-about as a future alternative for Caicedo or Fernandes.
The excellent news is that Mohammad Zongo is strictly that individual, as these aware of the matter have urged.
Earlier this month, it was introduced that Bruco, the consortium that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg, had agreed to signal the younger participant from Burkina Faso.
He’s set to affix the French workforce when he turns 18 within the subsequent two years and is taken into account a promising prospect at Stamford Bridge.
That being mentioned, why is he the person who may very well be the successor to one of many Blues’ two greatest midfielders?
To begin with, he’s a positionally versatile prospect who can play each in assault and deep in midfield, which is probably going one of many the explanation why Chelsea author Lloyd Canfield mentioned the teenager “performs in a novel method, like a combination between Estebao and Moises Caicedo”.
Moreover, analyst Filipe Souza described the teenage prodigy as “an entire and energetic box-to-box midfielder who contributes in all phases of the sport”.
Souza added that the teenager is “technically clear and bodily sturdy”, which helps him cowl area shortly, win the ball and begin assaults.
Once I see an outline like this, I can not assist however consider Maresca’s Ecuadorian bailiff.
However he is extra than simply an engine, with U23 scout Antonio Mango calling him a “magical” participant for his capacity to create possibilities for his team-mates.
In spite of everything, it will likely be a very long time earlier than Chelsea followers see Zongo representing them, however they cannot assist however be enthusiastic about the potential of him changing into a long-term successor to Caicedo and Fernandes.
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