In a season that’s already brimming with surprises, Chelsea have announced themselves as serious contenders with a heart-pounding victory over Liverpool, capped by Estevao Willian’s dramatic 95th-minute winner at Stamford Bridge. Yet, amidst the euphoria, midfield maestro Moises Caicedo is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, insisting it’s far too soon to crown the Blues as title challengers.
After a shaky opening to the campaign, Chelsea now sit just four points adrift of the Reds, breathing down the necks of the league leaders. Last season’s fourth-place finish under new head coach Enzo Maresca has ignited ambitions for more, with whispers growing that this youthful squad could genuinely rattle the established giants like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City.
Caicedo, who ignited the Stamford Bridge fireworks with a breathtaking piledriver into the top corner just 14 minutes in, tempered the hype in his post-match reflections. “It is too early to say we are going to win,” the Ecuadorian star admitted candidly. “For sure we want to win the Premier League. We will take it step by step because the Premier League is tough, but we are going to do our best.”
His words reflect a squad brimming with confidence yet grounded in realism. “We’ve shown our quality, we’ve shown our character on the pitch,” Caicedo added. “We want to continue this moment.” And continue it they must, as Chelsea’s resurgence has turned heads across the footballing world.
Caicedo’s own form has been nothing short of sensational, earning him rave reviews from pundits and peers alike. None more glowing than from Manchester United legend Gary Neville, who didn’t hold back on his podcast following the Liverpool clash. “I’m breathing before I say this because I’m trying to think of players like Declan Rice and others,” Neville confessed, “but I think he [Caicedo] is the best midfielder in the league at the moment and I am comfortable with that. Sitting here now, going into October 2025, I think we can say Caicedo is the best midfielder in the league.”
High praise indeed for the 23-year-old, whose commanding presence in midfield has been the backbone of Chelsea’s revival. But while Caicedo’s thunderbolt stole the early spotlight, the night’s true hero was teenage sensation Estevao Willian. The 18-year-old Brazilian, fresh from Palmeiras in a high-profile summer move, etched his name into Chelsea folklore with that last-gasp strike—his first competitive goal in English football.
Estevao’s arrival has injected pure excitement into the Premier League, and his seamless adaptation to life in west London has been remarkable. Chelsea’s cautious approach to managing the youngster—easing him into the rigors of a new league, country, and culture—has paid dividends, with his performances already turning heads.
Caicedo, ever the supportive teammate, seemed utterly unfazed by Estevao’s meteoric rise. “It’s a great feeling that Estevao scored; he is doing a great job here,” he enthused. “We are happy with him. You can see on the pitch, even in training, he is so good, he is showing his quality. We have tried to help him because the Premier League is so different, and he’s making an impact here. We are so happy with him.”
As Chelsea navigate the twists and turns of a grueling season, Caicedo’s blend of ambition and caution could be the perfect recipe for success. With talents like Estevao emerging and midfield dominance from the likes of Caicedo, the Blues’ stunning turnaround might just be the start of something special. The Premier League title? It’s a long road ahead, but Stamford Bridge is buzzing with possibility.