‘Too much for him’… Alan Pardew names the Chelsea player he feels really sorry for

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has sympathy for Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo.

After spending £115m on him during the summer (Sky Sports), a lot was expected of Moises Caicedo, but the 22-year-old has failed to make much of an impact at Stamford Bridge.

His spell in west London so far has now left Alan Pardew feeling a bit sorry for him, with the former Newcastle United and West Ham United boss recently speaking about Caicedo on talkSPORT.

Pardew also believes that Chelsea would be a much weaker side without Thiago Silva, who was left on the bench for the Blues’ 2-0 loss against Everton yesterday.

Alan Pardew feels sorry for Moises Caicedo

Pardew has suggested that Caicedo is struggling with the expectation that has come with his move to Chelsea.

Discussing the former Brighton & Hove Albion man on talkSPORT, Pardew said: “Caicedo’s a young boy. He’s only done a year, 14, 16 months at that level, that’s all it was.

“And now we’re asking him to come into, let’s be honest, [a] champions-winning team. You know, Chelsea, this famous club… and I think it’s a bit too much for him. I feel a little bit sorry for him.”

Is there too much pressure on Moises Caicedo?

Perhaps. You really have to look beyond his price tag and when you do, you quickly remember that the Ecuadorian is a 22-year-old who has not played in the Premier League for too long.

He had also not played for a top club who are expected to win every game like Chelsea. It is a completely different environment at Stamford Bridge.

If Caicedo was bought for £30m or came through the academy, everybody would be saying it is unfair to put this kind of pressure and expectation on someone who was only 21 a month ago.

But he is not a £30m signing or an academy player, so there is not going to be any leeway for Caicedo from his and Chelsea’s critics.

It may seem a bit unfair. The Ecuador international cannot do anything about his price tag. It is early in his Chelsea career, though, and he is obviously a footballer with a lot of talent. Hopefully he kicks on soon.