“Unlocks the door” – Chelsea player is so good it’s like having an “extra man” on the pitch | OneFootball

One Chelsea player is so good that it’s like having an extra man on the pitch when he plays, is the view of one former PL star.

The news comes off the back of Chelsea getting an essential three points on Saturday afternoon by beating Everton 1-0 at home after a fantastic first half goal from striker Nicolas Jackson ending his 2025 goal draught.

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It was far from an easy game for Chelsea though, and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez became the unlikely hero and was actually the reason that they could see the win out and collect all three points, making some big second half saves to deny certain goals.

Another one of Chelsea’s best players on the pitch was defender Trevoh Chalobah and really, he was a strong candidate for man of the match too. Enzo Maresca defended Chelsea’s decision to let him go on loan in the summer after then recalling him in the winter.

Moises Caicedo was again a top performer during this game and this was even when he was asked to play as a right back when out of possession.

Former Arsenal player Theo Walcott has been praising the Blues midfielder this week.

Caicedo is superb

Moises Caicedo battles for possession against Everton. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

‘For me, Claude Makelele is one of the best midfield players in that position that’s ever lived,’ the Arsenal hero told the Premier League’s YouTube channel.

‘A bit before [N’Golo] Kante. Kante took Makelele’s throne to some extent. But he [Moises Caicedo] is as close as you’re going to get to the modern era of that position. He can fill the right-back position as well.

‘You talk about the price tag, but it doesn’t faze him. It can take a little time to adapt to a new club but he’s an absolute rock.

‘Sadly for me, he’s in the wrong shirt! I’m a huge fan of his because he unlocks the door for people like Cole Palmer to do their thing.

‘He’s an extra man in that midfield, maybe two or three, that’s how good he is.’