Chelsea icon Claude Makelele believes that Moises Caciedo will be in the running for next year’s Ballon d’Or if he continues to build on his current form.

Caicedo took his time to settle into life at Stamford Bridge, but his performances over the past 18 months have shown why Chelsea were willing to pay the record-breaking £115million fee to sign him from Brighton in 2023.

The Ecuadorian international won Chelsea’s Player of the Year award last season, starting all 38 Premier League games as Enzo Maresca’s side secured their return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.

And the 24-year-old has started this season in even more scintillating form, delivering his latest all-action display last weekend to help the Blues continue their fine recent record against London rivals Tottenham.

Such performances are not going under the radar, with Chelsea boss Maresca claiming that Manchester City’s Rodri is the only defensive midfielder who can be considered on the same level as Caicedo.

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