Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has made a huge statement about Moises Caicedo, comparing the Ecuadorian star to two of the greatest midfielders ever to wear the Blue shirt — Claude Makelele and N’Golo Kante.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Lampard admitted that while comparisons between generations can be tricky, Caicedo is beginning to show traits of both Chelsea icons.
“I played with both Kante and Makelele, and they were both amazing,” Lampard said. “Makelele was more of a sitter — disciplined, controlling the tempo, protecting the backline — while Kante could just cover every blade of grass.”
Lampard believes Caicedo is carving out his own identity but shares the best qualities of both midfield greats.
“Caicedo can really do the Makelele break-up stuff well. He closes down space quickly and reads the game brilliantly. But he’s also adding those Kante-like bursts of energy and recovery runs. You can see both influences in his play.”
Since his £115 million move from Brighton in 2023, the 23-year-old has faced enormous pressure to justify his price tag. But under Chelsea’s evolving system, Caicedo is now finding his rhythm — controlling possession, breaking lines, and winning duels with growing authority.
Lampard also praised the midfielder’s attitude and growth within the squad:
“He’s still young, still learning, but he’s improving fast within the group. I think it’s a fair comparison to say he’s developing into that Makelele-Kante mold.”
As Chelsea continue their rebuild under Enzo Maresca, Lampard’s comments highlight just how highly the club’s legends rate Caicedo. If he continues on this trajectory, the Ecuadorian could soon be the heartbeat of Chelsea’s next great midfield era — following in the footsteps of the legends who defined it.
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