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How Chelsea could line up with Moises Caicedo in midfield

2023-08-14 14:50
Four ways Chelsea could set up with Moises Caicedo after breaking the British transfer record.
How Chelsea could line up with Moises Caicedo in midfield

One of the most ridiculous transfer sagas we've ever seen is finally coming to an end. Moises Caicedo will soon be a Chelsea player.

The Blues have agreed to shatter the British transfer record - their own £106m purchase of Enzo Fernandez in January - by agreeing to part with a whopping £115m for Caicedo, who is manager Mauricio Pochettino's top target to bolster his midfield.

It's the sort of signing which could transform Chelsea's midfield, but just how Pochettino will opt to use Caicedo is up in the air.

Here are four ways Chelsea could set up with Caicedo.

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In a midfield two

Pochettino trialled a 4-2-3-1 setup during pre-season and could opt to stick with that now that Caicedo is coming through the door.

Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez would be the most expensive midfield partnership in football history, but let's be real, it could easily be worth every penny.

Potential lineups

Caicedo - Fernandez

Caicedo - Gallagher

As a box-to-box midfielder

One of Caicedo's top attributes is his energy. The Ecuador international is comfortable charging all around the pitch, breaking things up at the back and dragging his team forward with powerful runs and smart passes.

If Pochettino wants that energy closer to the opposition box, he may opt to play Caicedo further forward than Fernandez.

Potential lineups

Fernandez - Caicedo - Gallagher

Santos - Caicedo - Fernandez

As a defensive midfielder

Fernandez's impact in a more advanced role was clear in the Premier League opener against Liverpool, so Pochettino may seek to keep Caicedo back to further unleash the Argentine wizard.

With excellent interceptions and a keen eye for runners, Caicedo has all the qualities of a modern defensive midfielder and could anchor Chelsea's trio for years to come.

Potential lineups

Caicedo - Fernandez - Gallagher

Caicedo - Fernandez - Santos

In a midfield two with wing-backs

Pochettino sprung a surprise against Liverpool by deploying more of a 3-4-1-2 setup, with Conor Gallagher in alongside Fernandez to do the dirty work.

Gallagher was sensational and deserves to remain in the fight for minutes in such a role, but Caicedo may just offer another level of protection for a back three.

Potential lineups

James - Caicedo - Fernandez - Chilwell

James - Caicedo - Gallagher - Chilwell

LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST

On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the ever-changing Moises Caicedo saga, Harry Kane's move to Bayern Munich and more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

This article was originally published on 90min as How Chelsea could line up with Moises Caicedo in midfield.