Chelsea star can prove Enzo Maresca’s ‘best in the world’ comments correct against Bayern Munich
Chelsea will have to be at their best on Wednesday night when they travel to the Allianz Arena to take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Chelsea’s draw away at Brentford was disappointing, as Enzo Maresca’s side search for early-season consistency.
Jamie Gittens was berated by Chelsea fans after the draw for his performance, with a host of Blues players underwhelming at the GTech Community Stadium.
Chelsea’s looming FA verdict regarding their financial irregularities continues to be the centre of conversation around Maresca’s side, who will now turn their attention to their Champions League campaign.
Moises Caicedo set to play key role for Chelsea against Bayern Munich
As Maresca’s team look for form, they couldn’t be facing a worse opponent, with Bayern entering the game in imperious form.
Stats posted on X suggest that Moises Caicedo might be a crucial part of Chelsea’s side if they’re to leave Germany with anything on Wednesday.
Caicedo has locked down the centre of the park during Chelsea’s opening four games of the Premier League season, but will face a different challenge against Bayern’s midfield of Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic.
The Ecuadorian international joined Chelsea for a fee of £115 million in 2023 from Brighton, with Caicedo switching the South Coast for West London, in a then-British record transfer deal.
Moises Caicedo needs to dominate the midfield vs Bayern Munich
Bayern have started the Bundesliga season in relentless fashion, winning all three of their opening league games by an aggregate score of 14-2.
Key to their success has been the dogged pairing of Kimmich and Pavlovic at the base of Vincent Kompany’s midfield.
| Aleksandar Pavlovic 2025-26 | |
| Progressive passes per 90 | 8.67 |
| Passes into final third per 90 | 17.3 |
| Shot creating actions per 90 | 2 |
The two holding midfielders have recycled possession tremendously through the first three weeks of the season, and Caicedo – who was called the ‘best in the world’ by Maresca – will have to be at his best to thwart their play as the teams face off in midweek.
Maresca’s team will need to step up their levels from what we’ve seen of them so far this season, and one would expect Caicedo to play a key role if Chelsea are to return to Stamford Bridge with a positive result.