Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on Moises Caicedo, declaring the Ecuadorian as one of the two best defensive midfielders in the world, alongside Manchester City’s Rodri.

The bold endorsement came after Caicedo’s Man of the Match performance in Chelsea’s 1–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Stadium, a result that lifted the Blues ahead of their upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Qarabag.

“For me, him and Rodri — in this moment — they are the two best defending midfielders in the world,” Maresca said post-match, via ESPN.

Maresca praised not just Caicedo’s tactical intelligence and ball-winning ability, but also his character:

“Moi, I think he’s showing how good he is… he’s always there to help everyone.”

Caicedo’s positional discipline, pressing instincts, and composure under pressure have made him a cornerstone of Maresca’s midfield, with his form drawing comparisons to Rodri’s metronomic presence at Manchester City.

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro scored the solitary goal for the visitors as they edged past Tottenham Hotspurs to keep their Top 4 hopes alive. Chelsea is set to take on FK Qarabag in the Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 5, as they travel to Azerbaijan to take on the domestic champions.