Chelsea will be without Moises Caicedo for the next three league matches.
The Ecuador international was sent off shortly before the break in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Caicedo was given his marching orders after a dangerous two-footed challenge on Mikel Merino. The Blues, to their credit, dug in deep and came away with a solid point in their title push.
In this article, we’ll cover:
However, Chelsea will miss Caicedo over the coming weeks. The 24-year-old has been one of the Blues’ star performers this season. Indeed, he’s made more interceptions (27) than any other player in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. Fortunately, Chelsea’s upcoming games are particularly navigable.
Leeds have lost their last four league games. Bournemouth are winless in four after a 3-2 defeat at Sunderland. Everton, meanwhile, haven’t won a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge since 1994. If ever there was a run of games to miss, it’s this one.
Additionally, Enzo Maresca has the relevant strength in depth to ease Caicedo’s suspension. This presents Andrey Santos with the chance to really build up some momentum in the midfield. The Brazilian has made just three league starts this season but could feasibly double that haul.
Comparing Caicedo and Santos’ work off the ball
Having impressed for Strasbourg last season, the expectation was that Santos would play a more prominent role for the Blues. Of course, the 21-year-old was never going to oust Caicedo for a starting spot yet he now has the perfect opportunity to really prove his worth.
Even in his sporadic showings, Santos has proven he’s more than up to the task of shielding the backline. Indeed, both Santos and Caicedo are averaging 3.2 tackles per 90 in the Premier League this season. The duo are evidently elite ball winners, which should minimise pressure on the Blues goal.
Caicedo is the more refined of the pair off the ball, the former Brighton man ranking better for ball recoveries (5.6 to 4.6), ground duels won (5.4 to 5.1) and interceptions per 90 (2.5 to 2). That, though, shouldn’t come as a surprise. Caicedo is, after all, considered to be one of the best in the world at carrying out his ball winning duties. And it does mean that only Arsenal (7.3) are conceding fewer shots per 90 than Chelsea (9.2) this season.
Santos’ distribution concerns
Rather, the issue comes from how the pair perform when they do win the ball back. Chelsea rank third for possession (57.9%) and second for pass accuracy (86.3%) in the Premier League this season. They rely heavily on their distributors to regularly find teammates with ease, something Caicedo does to a high standard.
The Ecuadorian is maintaining a commendable 90.76% pass accuracy from 59.5 passes per 90 in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. By comparison, Santos boasts an 82.8% pass accuracy from 44.5 passes per 90. This is where Chelsea may falter. A key reason behind Chelsea’s fine start to the campaign has been their ability to dictate the tempo in a key area, specifically through Caicedo.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Win and recycle possession – this is Caicedo’s key duty in the middle of the park. This allows Chelsea to control proceedings and, importantly, get the ball forward quickly. It’s no coincidence that the Blues rank fourth for chances created (10.6) in England’s top tier this term. Caicedo won’t be creating these chances but in winning the ball; he’s able to pass on to those who can hurt opponents.
Highlighting Caicedo’s importance to Chelsea attack
By keeping things simple and moving the ball on quickly, Chelsea are able spring forward at speed, maximising the range of passing of the players at Maresca’s disposal. The Blues rank fifth for accurate long balls per 90 (21.9) this term. And Caicedo is arguably the star player in this dominance and ability to get possession upfield quickly.
Santos, then, has big boots to fill in the middle of the park. After such a draining showing on Sunday, Maresca is likely to rest Reece James at Leeds, meaning Santos should start alongside Enzo Fernandez at the base in the 4-2-3-1 setup. It wouldn’t be the first time the pair have played together, having excelled in the 2-0 win at Burnley last month.
It was a match, though, where Chelsea didn’t have the same stranglehold in midfield were Caicedo involved. The upcoming run of league games, then, is a huge chance for Santos to really prove himself as a Caicedo stand in. If he can improve his distribution when he does win possession, then the Brazilian can prove a vital component for this Chelsea engine over the hectic festive run.