'I named Chelsea star flop of the year last season – now he's completely transformed'

Chelsea star Moises Caicedo has forced Ally McCoist to eat his own words after turning his Blues form around this season. The Ecuador midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge for an initial £100million in the summer of 2023 but endured a nightmare maiden campaign in west London as McCoist suggested he had ended the season as the biggest flop in the league.

But the former Scotland striker has now changed his opinion, with the player currently performing at the top of his game week in, week out.

The 23-year-old has started all 13 of his team’s Premier League matches and has helped them climb to third in the table.

“Moises Caicedo has looked an absolute different player this season, he looks a different human being,” McCoist told talkSPORT BET. “It’s not just him as well, so does Romeo Lavia who has come in alongside Caicedo, he’s been different class.

“It looks like the Chelsea midfield have a different balance to them and a different attitude. I was justifiably critical of Caicedo last season – everyone knew his ability when he came in from Brighton, but he was unable to show it for whatever reason.

“I must commend him on his turn around in form, credit where it’s due. The midfield for Chelsea looks excellent and it’s really refreshing to see. The credit must go to the players for turning it around but also to [manager] Enzo Maresca, who’s got them playing some excellent football.”

McCoist has already praised Caicedo this season as he explained at the start of October: “I thought Chelsea completely underachieved last year.

“I wasn’t happy at all with the level of performance from two midfielders, Caicedo and [Enzo] Fernandez. I made a comment a couple of times that for a quarter of a billion pounds I’m looking for a lot more. I don’t think it’s any coincidence there’s been a massive improvement in their play.”

But last year it was a different story, with McCoist singling out Caicedo after being asked on talkSPORT if Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana should be regarded as a flop.

The Scot reflected: “He’s (Onana) nothing like the signing everybody thought he would be but I’m not giving him flop of the season so far. I think that’s just ever-so-slightly harsh.

“I’ve got to say, I saw him (Caicedo) a couple of times, particularly at Old Trafford him and Enzo Fernandez, both of them – to be honest with you – a quarter of a billion pounds…

“Caicedo would certainly get my vote before Onana, to be honest with you.”

And when asked if Red Devils striker Rasmus Hojlund was also a contender, the 62-year-old added: “No chance – Caicedo would certainly get it. Onana would get it before Hojlund for me, no doubt about it.”