Moises Caicedo's transfer to Chelsea last summer was one of the most controversial moves of the season. Fresh off a stellar spell at Brighton, he was linked with major clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool, with the latter particularly keen to bring him to Anfield. They even put in a record bid to secure the midfielder of €133m, only to see him choose Chelsea instead. The move left many Reds fans feeling as though they’d been strung along, with some even relishing Caicedo's initial struggles at Stamford Bridge, viewing it as a bullet dodged.

"I was talking with Chelsea for a long time. It was impossible to say not to Chelsea, because they were with me supporting me," Caicedo explained after his move to West London.

"In the summer I suffered a lot because it was complicated to leave Brighton. They were with me, and in the last moment Liverpool called me but it was [too] late because I wanted to play for Chelsea. It was tough to say no to Chelsea."

In the season after the move, there was an initial sense of vindication among Liverpool supporters. However, Caicedo is proving with each game that he is indeed worth the investment, and gradually silencing his critics along the way.

Moises Caicedo Transfer Value - how much is he worth now?

According to FootballTransfers' Player Valuation Model, Caicedo has a current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €44.9m, while we have him as the first in Best Ecuadorian Players and first in Most Valuable Ecuadorian Players.

He made the €116m move to Chelsea in the summer window of 2023. Soon after his ETV boomed to its highest point so far, €86.1m. It has been in decline since then, however, and has only spiked up slightly in the last two months.

What does Moises Caicedo bring to the table?

Despite the record sum Chelsea forked out, Caicedo claimed that it was Chelsea's stature itself that made him feel pressure - not the fee. "At Chelsea you always have to win," he said. "Always, every game, if you don't win you feel the pressure, because the fans always want to see the team winning."

There is an argument to be had that Caicedo has been Chelsea's best player this season, even in the face of Cole Palmer's rampage. While the England international has been mostly brilliant, he's been less reliable - experiencing a few off-games. In contrast, Caicedo has not. The Ecuador international has shown up consistently. He has been resilient and adaptable. His early struggles upon joining the club last season seem far behind him now. And upon reflection, the rough start is understandable given the high expectations tied to his substantial price tag and the challenges of relocating to a new city and team.

This season, we’re truly seeing the player Chelsea invested in. The midfielder is commanding out of possession and a threat in it. His defensive prowess is complemented by a composure and precision in passing and carrying. It’s the Caicedo of old. It’s also clear that he’s found a better rhythm partnering with Romeo Lavia than Enzo Fernandez, the previous club-record signing but whose trajectory has taken a downward spiral.

In Enzo Maresca’s system, Caicedo’s role is now honed to his strengths. He is less stretched, covers less ground defensively and benefits from more nearby teammates. Caicedo now plays shorter passes under pressure and take more risks, knowing that Lavia is there as protection behind him.

It’s clear that the initial criticism was premature. His unfortunate debut, where he gave away a penalty, saw Caciedo tarred with a brush and that has stretched for well over a year. He is proving himself to be one of the Premier League’s top central midfielders this year, rivalling even the likes of Ryan Gravenberch.

WhoScored gives Caicedo a 7.23 rating for his efforts in the Premier League so far. He is also averaging 3.5 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game. He is the cornerstone of the Maresca system and appears to be relishing every opportunity. Chelsea could go one of two ways this season, but you have to feel a lot will come down to Caicedo and whether he can keep the same level throughout the campaign.