Chelsea star Moises Caideo’s dream start at the club hasn’t gone exactly as planned. Caicedo recently completed his big-money move to the Premier League club after rejecting Liverpool. The Ecuadorian star arrived at the West London club on a deal worth $145 million to become the most expensive transfer in British soccer history. However, questions are already being raised following his debut performance.
Moises Caicedo made his first appearance for Chelsea in yesterday’s 1-3 defeat to West Ham. After being not included in coach Mauricio Pocchetino’s starting lineup, the 21-year-old star came off the bench in the 61st minute. Although The Blue’s star midfielder Enzo Fernandez missed a penalty, fans have ripped into Caicedo’s performance.
Caicedo not only failed to make any impact on the game but also gave away a penalty. His rash challenge on Emerson Palmieri allowed West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta to score the Hammers’ third goal. Moreover, some fans also spotted the Ecuadorian star praying after the end of the match. Although some have praised his mentality, others have mocked Caicedo, with one fan even saying, “Debut had him searching for God.”
Here are some reactions from fans:
LMAOO this has me dying, debut had him searching for God pic.twitter.com/jOSRRsynOU
— CK (@stateoffooty) August 20, 2023
So ur mockin him for praying ???
— 🔋🇸🇱 (@Zeenouhh) August 20, 2023
A man can’t pray ? Weirdo
— 30 (@24abti) August 20, 2023
HES PRAYING TO GO BACK TO BRIGHTON🤣😭😭😭😭
— 😉 (@utdHamz) August 20, 2023
I feel bad, he must knows he stunk it up to be praying in the middle of the pitch
— Arsenal Archives (@ArsenalArchives) August 20, 2023
Bro is searching for a way to get out of his 10 Year contract and saw no other Solution than praying to the Lord 😭😭💀
— AFCKai (@AFCKai_) August 21, 2023
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend and soccer pundit Jamie Carragher didn’t spare Moises Caicedo any mercy while rating his performance. Carragher said, “That man Caicedo has had a bit of a nightmare since he came on, you have to say.” Although some might even say that Carragher’s brutal criticism of Caicedo stems from the former Brighton star’s betrayal against Liverpool.
Moises Caicedo’s salary at Chelsea
Despite his nightmarish debut for Chelsea, Moises Caicedo is still one of the best midfielders in the Premier League currently. Caicedo’s incredible performance for Brighton & Hove Albion last season has already inflated his market value. With two of the biggest clubs in the league- Liverpool and Chelsea- interested in him, Caicedo chose the latter.
During his time at Brighton, Moises Caicedo was only earning a weekly salary of around $19,000. This meant that he annually earned a bit less than approximately $1 million. However, after his $145 million move to Stamford Bridge, Caicedo’s salary has seen a huge surge. Chelsea, who has acquired Caicedo till 2031 with an option of a one-year extension, is reportedly paying him a weekly salary of $190,000.
This means that Moises Caicedo’s yearly salary at his new club is just shy of $10 million. The 21-year-old is currently one of the highest-paid midfielders in the world. However, Caicedo’s salary is nowhere close to what Chelsea stars Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernandez earn. Sterling’s annual salary at the club is reportedly around $21.5 million while the Argentine midfielder earns approximately $20.8 million.