Caicedo 2.0: Chelsea frontrunners to sign "generational" £100m England star
While it’s not been smooth sailing this season, Chelsea are looking good at the moment.
Enzo Maresca’s side are third in the Premier League and, despite dealing with numerous injuries, are just six points behind first-place Arsenal.
Moreover, while some of the summer signings are still taking their time to bed in, the more established players have stepped up, with Moises Caicedo once again showing why he’s one of the best in the world.
So, fans should be delighted with reports linking them to another midfield monster who could be another Caicedo-type signing.
Chelsea target another Moises Caicedo
It’s no secret that Chelsea like to spend when it comes to transfers, and they’ve already been linked with a plethora of exciting talents ahead of the winter window.
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For example, stories touting Real Madrid’s Rodrygo for a move to Stamford Bridge have resurfaced recently.
Another player from Spain who is reportedly a target for the Blues is former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez, who has been exceptional for Atlético Madrid, but as a result, could cost an arm and a leg.
However, while both La Liga stars would improve Marsca’s side, neither one can be described as a Caicedo-type signing, unlike Adam Wharton.
Yes, according to recent reports from Spain, Chelsea have maintained their strong interest in the Crystal Palace star ahead of the winter window.
In fact, the report goes further, claiming that the West Londoners are now leading the race for his signature, a signature that could cost them as much as £100m per other reports from the summer.
It would be a lot to spend on someone so young, but Wharton’s ability alone means it would be worth it, especially as he would be a Cacideo-type signing.
Why Wharton would be another Caicedo
Now, while there are obviously differences between them, there are a few reasons why Wharton could be another Caicedo-esque signing for Chelsea, either in January or the summer.
The first is that, like with the Ecuadorian, it would be another example of the Blues going in and putting a big offer on the table for one of the best midfielders in the Premier League who isn’t at a ‘big six’ side.
That might sound hyperbolic, but since moving to Selhurst Park, the Englishman has been sensational, and his underlying numbers prove as much.
xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals
0.30
Top 1%
GCA (Dead-ball Pass)
0.13
Top 2%
Key Passes
2.07
Top 4%
Through Balls
0.58
Top 5%
xA: Expected Assists
0.22
Top 6%
Inswinging Corner Kicks
1.29
Top 7%
SCA (Dead-ball Pass)
0.97
Top 7%
npxG + xAG
0.32
Top 10%
Shot-Creating Actions
3.75
Top 10%
Crosses into Penalty Area
0.26
Top 13%
SCA (Live-ball Pass)
2.52
Top 14%
SCA (Take-On)
0.13
Top 17%
Goal-Creating Actions
0.39
Top 17%
Crosses
2.78
Top 18%
For example, FBref rank the “generational” ace, as dubbed by Matthew Stanger, in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals, the top 4% for key passes, the top 5% for through balls, the top10% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.
Moreover, he’s putting up numbers like that at just 21 years old in a team that’ll likely finish mid-table come May.
Therefore, were he to join Maresca’s side, then he could develop in a similar way to Caicedo and go from an exceptional talent to one of the very best players in the entire league.
Finally, just like Pensioner’s number 25, the former Blackburn Rovers gem is someone who can do the dirty work in defence, but is just as capable of running things in the middle of the park, whether through silky passes or ball-carrying.
Ultimately, it would not be cheap, but Chelsea should do what they can to sign Wharton as soon as possible, as he could be another Caicedo for them.
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