Pat Nevin said of the “outstanding” Chelsea player during the Everton tie, “You need to have a really good football brain.”

Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin has praised Moisés Caicedo for his exceptional performance in Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Everton on Sunday, December 22. Caicedo was a key presence in the midfield, making six recoveries and winning eight out of nine duels. Nevin, who played for both Chelsea and Everton during his career, highlighted Caicedo’s defensive work, noting his ability to cover large areas of the pitch, especially in situations where gaps appeared. Nevin also emphasized Caicedo’s excellent footballing intelligence and his ability to do the “ugly stuff” effectively.

Caicedo joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for €116 million from Brighton & Hove Albion. Since his arrival, the Ecuadorian has made a significant impact, contributing two goals and seven assists in 67 appearances for the club.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, despite the goalless draw, was pleased with his team’s performance. It was the first time since their opening-day 2-0 defeat to Manchester City that Chelsea had failed to score in a Premier League match. Maresca expressed satisfaction with the team’s approach, noting their ability to adapt and learn to play different types of games. He also pointed out that Everton are one of the best teams in Europe in terms of clean sheets.

Maresca, who took charge of Chelsea in the summer after leaving Leicester City, has enjoyed a strong debut season. Chelsea remains second in the Premier League, four points behind league leaders Liverpool.