Graham Potter finally found N’Golo Kante replacement as player rejects new Chelsea contract
Graham Potter has already chosen Moises Caicedo as the ideal replacement for N’Golo Kante at Chelsea before the January transfer window opens. The 20-year-old midfielder was heavily linked with a transfer away from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer after an impressive campaign at the Amex Stadium last season.
However, Caicedo, whose deal with the south coast expires in 2025, made eight Premier League appearances for Potter’s former team and contributed to two goals. He only played for the Seagulls in the latter part of the season, but against Manchester United, he dazzled and left his imprint with a long-range shot.
Despite interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, the Ecuadorian international is still an important part of Brighton’s team. Caicedo is being compared to Kante, and Chelsea has been informed of the reasons why the midfielder would be a superior fit for Stamford Bridge, particularly given his prior professional relationship with Potter.
Meanwhile, Tim Vickery stated on the talkSPORT Hawksbee and Jacobs programme in January 2021 that Caicedo would be a “great signing.” According to the South American expert: “I’m a tremendous admirer.
Vickery continued: “He mentioned Kante of Chelsea as a role model, but he is already more than that; in a 4-2-3-1, he is like the second guy in that line of two, so he can defend but also bomb forward.
“He’s really good at timing his runs, he’s calm in possession, and he appears to have everything. He’s a fantastic signing in my opinion.”
However, Potter may have already shot himself – and Chelsea – in the foot if the Blues try to sign the talented midfielder, as the former Brighton manager recently set a £100 million price tag on Caicedo.
During the closing days of the transfer window, Potter was questioned about a £42 million deal for Caicedo, to which he replied: “You’d probably get his boots from the chairman for that – maybe! £100m? They can make an attempt.
“It’s not surprising that people are looking at him because he’s playing at a tremendous level; once you do some study on him, you realise he’s a top kid, a nice guy, young, playing in the Premier League, and has all the characteristics to play at the very, very best level.”