Graham Potter 'not surprised' as 'the real Moises Caicedo' steps up for Chelsea | OneFootball

Ecuador star struggled initially following British transfer record move from Brighton

Graham Potter has highlighted why Chelsea are now getting the best out of their £115million midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Caicedo set a British transfer record when he completed his move from Brighton to the Blues in August last year.

However, the Ecuador international struggled to justify that fee in a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge.

And former Chelsea boss Potter - who managed Caicedo during his time at Brighton - has revealed why the 22-year-old is doing so much better this campaign.

“It feels like Chelsea are starting to see the real Moises Caicedo, and I am not surprised their results have improved now he is doing so well,” Potter told BBC Sport.

“The way it began for him with us at Brighton was similar to what happened when he first joined Chelsea, in that it felt like he has had to suffer and dig in before coming out the other side and showing everyone his true quality.

“Things are different now. The Chelsea team has settled down a lot since he first joined, which has probably helped him a lot, but he has grown with them.

Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League and enjoying some good performances under new boss Enzo Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the summer.

And Potter thinks the increased stability in personnel for the Blues under Maresca has allowed Caicedo to flourish.

Graham Potter managed Caicedo during his time as Brighton boss

AFP via Getty Images

“At the moment he is playing a specific role for Chelsea because of the way Enzo Maresca wants them to play, as the more defensive midfielder covering the five players ahead of him,” Potter added.

“That makes sense because Chelsea have got their front three of Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson, with Cole Palmer behind them and Enzo Fernandez in a slightly higher position too.

“Behind them, they have got Moises alongside one of their inverted full-backs, which provides them with the balance which allows that front five to attack.

“Moises' positional sense will get better and better, the more he plays in that role, but he is already very good at recovering those big spaces and winning the ball back. Along with everything else, that makes him the perfect fit for the way they want to play.

“I am really pleased to see him flourishing the way he is. He has seen his difficult periods out, without going under, and has kept on being himself - wanting the ball, winning the ball, and doing the right things.

“This is just the start for him, but he and Chelsea are already seeing the rewards of his hard work.”