Moises Caicedo Named Best Under-23 Holding Midfielder in the World Ahead of Camavinga and Gravenberch
Chelsea’s record-breaking signing, Moises Caicedo, has been named the best Under-23 holding midfielder in the world by the CIES Football Observatory for the 2023/24 season. The 22-year-old Ecuadorian international, who joined Chelsea for a British record fee of £115 million, outranked several notable young midfielders to secure the top spot in this prestigious ranking.
Caicedo made headlines when Chelsea signed him from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023, fending off competition from Liverpool, who had also agreed on a deal with the Seagulls. Chelsea swooped in with a higher offer, breaking the British transfer record to bring Caicedo to Stamford Bridge. The staggering fee raised eyebrows, especially since Caicedo had only completed one full Premier League season at the time. Doubts about his hefty price tag were further fueled by Chelsea’s early struggles on the pitch after his arrival.
However, Caicedo’s individual performances quickly silenced critics. The CIES Football Observatory awarded him an impressive score of 86.7 out of 100, the highest among holding midfielders under the age of 23. This achievement places him ahead of other promising talents, including Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga (83.1), Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery (81.6), Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo (80.2), and Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool (79.0), all of whom featured in the top five.
While sceptics pointed to the accomplishments of Caicedo’s peers, who have each played crucial roles for their clubs, the 22-year-old’s consistent performances for Chelsea across the 2023/24 season ultimately earned him the highest rating. Camavinga, for instance, was instrumental in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double, while Zaire-Emery made 43 appearances in a title-winning campaign for PSG. Mainoo’s emergence at Manchester United coincided with their FA Cup success, and Gravenberch’s displays for Liverpool have shown his potential as a future midfield maestro.
Despite the impressive achievements of these young stars, Caicedo’s contribution to Chelsea has stood out. He has been a near-permanent fixture in Chelsea’s Premier League line-up, only rested in the Carabao Cup and the club’s Conference League play-off second leg. Not only has he demonstrated his defensive abilities, but he’s also showcased leadership qualities, having captained the Blues on two occasions — once in the Premier League against Bournemouth and again in a European fixture against Swiss side Servette.
Chelsea’s investment in Caicedo, though initially questioned, appears to be paying off as the young Ecuadorian continues to develop into one of the most promising holding midfielders in world football. With the weight of a British transfer record on his shoulders, Caicedo has proven he is more than capable of handling the pressure, leading by example on the pitch, and continuing to grow his reputation as a world-class talent.
As Chelsea look to climb back into Premier League contention and make strides in European competitions, Caicedo’s importance to the team cannot be overstated. His ability to break up play, shield the defense, and transition the ball forward is becoming a cornerstone of Chelsea’s midfield, providing stability and balance to Enzo Maresca’s evolving squad.
Moises Caicedo Named Best Under-23 Holding Midfielder in the World Ahead of Camavinga and Gravenberch