Chelsea issue telling response after Scholes makes bold Caicedo claim
Chelsea issued a telling response after Paul Scholes' comments about midfielder Moises Caicedo caused a stir on social media.
After a mixed first season at Stamford Bridge, Caicedo has grown into his role at Chelsea, featuring in all 38 Premier League games and thriving in Enzo Maresca's side.
The Ecuadorian international was deservedly crowned Chelsea's Player of the Year, having helped guide the club back to the Champions League as well as scoring in the final of their Conference League win over Real Betis.
But not everyone was convinced with Caicedo's impact for the Blues this season, most notably former Manchester United midfielder Scholes.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap with SkyBet, Scholes said: 'I think a lot of people talk about Caicedo. 'He's played 38 games'. Brilliant, what an achievement.
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'But was there much quality? Did he create a lot? Did he control a lot of games for Chelsea? I don't remember that.
'I think there's an era now, with midfielders especially, where you can go through seasons and games without really contributing.'
Many fans on social media were surprised by Scholes' comments, and it appears even Chelsea were keen to issue a rebuttal.
Posting on the club's X account, the Blues posted a thread of statistics highlighting that Caicedo had made the most appearances (38) and won the most tackles (114) of any Chelsea player in the Premier League last season.
pic.twitter.com/kDiiByE7lI — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 3, 2025
Only four players made more tackles than Caicedo in the league last campaign, with Marc Cucurella the next best in a Chelsea shirt with 67.
Some fans on social media were less cryptic with their rebutals towards Scholes for his comments.
'This is genuinely one of the worst bits of punditry I've ever seen. And if Paul Scholes has said this he quite simply doesn't watch much football,' one user wrote on X. More Trending
Another added: 'You can't watch Chelsea's games, and do even a 30-second stat check, and think Moises Caicedo that was a star for Brighton, and now Chelsea doesn't 'contribute a lot'. The eye test doesn't lie. The stats don't lie. He's wrong'.
Even Caicedo's fellow teammates have been vocal with their praise about his consistent levels of performance this season.
'He's a machine. From the start of the season, he has been our best player,' Cole Palmer told Sky Sports last month.
'Wins the ball back all the time. Always 100 per cent everyday. Humble, nice to everyone and everyone loves him.'
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MORE: John Obi Mikel backs Chelsea to sign two Man Utd stars and build Europe's best young squad
MORE: Chelsea respond to AC Milan transfer request for Mike Maignan
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