“That’s definitely what’s happened with him” - Kalvin Philips highlights reason behind Moises Caicedo’s early Chelsea struggles

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has spoken about the reasons behind the struggles of Chelsea's record-signing Moises Caicedo in his early days at the club. The Ecuadorian midfielder has become one of the first names on the team sheet at Stamford Bridge after a series of top-end performances since the end of last season.

Chelsea spent months trying to sign Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023 before eventually beating Liverpool to his signature for £115 million.

The midfielder had a debut to forget, giving away a penalty off the bench as Chelsea lost 3-1 to West Ham United. The 22-year-old struggled for much of his debut season before turning the corner in the second half of the campaign.

Signed from Leeds United by Manchester City for a reported £45 million, Kalvin Phillips is familiar with the struggles of having made a big-money move to a big club. Currently on loan at Ipswich Town, the England international spoke with Sky Sports about the struggles of his fellow midfielder, saying:

“Caicedo, I have played against him a couple of times. He’s a very good player. Obviously, you talk about price tags and stuff that kind of kill players, and I think that’s definitely what’s happened with him."

"Not for players, but I think, you know, outside of football a lot of people talk about the price tag and, you know, he’s not performing, and I think, you know, if you just give people time, they are going to start performing, and you know, he’s doing that now.”

Moises Caicedo has featured in all of the Blues' games this season (9), bar the Carabao Cup win over Barrow and the UEFA Europa Conference League win over Gent. The Ecuador international captained the side against Servette FC and is one of the leaders of the side under Enzo Maresca.

"He's going to hate me for this" - Kalvin Phillips ranks Chelsea star above Arsenal counterpart

Kalvin Phillips has ranked former Manchester City teammate Cole Palmer above Arsenal star Bukayo Saka. The English midfielder made the ranking in an interview with Sky Sports.

The on-loan Ipswich Town midfielder was asked to rank three of England's finest young forwards, all of whom he has played with in his career. He ranked reigning Premier League Player of the Year Phil Foden first ahead of Palmer and ranked Arsenal star Saka third.

Phillips said about his picks:

"He's [Saka] going to hate me for this. Bukayo has probably been the most consistent, I would say, out of these, over the years. Hopefully, this year he can show again his consistency and have a really good season and I think he will do as well. He's a lovely kid as well."

Kalvin Phillips has played alongside Foden at club level and for the English national team, as well (37 matches). He has also played alongside Chelsea star Palmer at club level (13 matches) and Saka with the English national team (15 matches).