As Ecuador picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Peru last night, they had a new figure captaining them in the middle of the park.
Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo led his country to victory in the World Cup qualifiers last night, and again played a key role in his nation’s performance.
He wasn’t the only Chelsea player on display for the South American side. Kendry Paez’s remarkable rise to the top continued as he completed nearly another hour for the senior side.
Caicedo is always prone to featuring in slightly different roles when he features for his country, given the fact that he is clearly the most talented and valuable player they have.
For Chelsea, he predominantly features as part of a midfield pivot, normally alongside an inverting full-back.
Moises Caicedo plays attacking midfield for Ecuador
This has normally been Malo Gusto this season, however there are concerns about his fitness after he hobbled off injured against Crystal Palace.
However, last night he was picking up more advanced positions. According to El Futbolero, the Blues’ record signing was featuring in an attacking midfield role, where he was tasked with linking the play between the midfield and attack.
The role is normally picked up at Stamford Bridge by Cole Palmer, with Enzo Maresca tweaking his system to allow the England international to pick up a more central role.
Caicedo could play right-back for Chelsea on Saturday
Another unique role could be on the cards for Caicedo this weekend when the Premier League returns with the task of Bournemouth away from home.
Given the fact that both Gusto and Reece James are injured and unlikely to feature, the midfielder could instead fill the right-back role, inverting to partner either Enzo Fernandez or Romeo Lavia if he can prove his fitness before Saturday.
Maresca also has the chance to look to his youth, with Josh Acheampong another option to make his first Premier League start.
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