Moises Caicedo vs Paul Scholes 2025 is the latest midfield storm to ignite debate after the Manchester United legend questioned Caicedo's influence at Chelsea. Scholes sparked controversy by suggesting the Ecuadorian contributed little despite starting all 38 Premier League games last season.
Chelsea, however, weren’t having it. The club quickly clapped back with hard stats, while Enzo Maresca doubled down on praise for his £115m defensive anchor. With the Blues back in the Champions League and Caicedo finishing the season strong, it’s clear this one isn’t over.
Chelsea Shut Down Scholes’ Criticism with Stats
Paul Scholes claimed Caicedo’s presence was underwhelming across the 2024/25 campaign, telling The Overlap:
“Did he create a lot? Did he control games? I don’t remember that.” — Paul Scholes
In response, Chelsea’s official X account posted a simple but stinging stat: Caicedo led the entire squad for tackles won this season. The post, clearly timed, felt like a direct rebuttal.
| Stat | Moises Caicedo | Ryan Gravenberch | Declan Rice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tackles Won | 102 | 68 | 88 |
| Interceptions | 54 | 37 | 49 |
| Duels Won | 172 | 121 | 153 |
| Pass Completion % | 89.2% | 86.5% | 90.1% |
Maresca Backs His Midfield General
Enzo Maresca has consistently backed Caicedo to thrive in his system, especially in the final months when he shifted to right-back due to injury cover.
“In this moment I think he is one of the best or the best defensive midfielders in the world.” — Enzo Maresca
Despite media noise, Caicedo was integral in Chelsea’s push to fourth place and their Europa Conference League triumph. His versatility and physicality proved decisive in key moments.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 3, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Moises Caicedo topped Chelsea’s tackle stats in 2024/25
- Only two midfielders in the league won more tackles
- Paul Scholes questioned his quality, sparking backlash
- Enzo Maresca called him “the best defensive midfielder in the world”
What’s Next?
With Chelsea back in the Champions League and Enzo Maresca ready to shape the squad further, Caicedo is expected to remain a cornerstone. A move back into midfield is likely, and expect even bigger numbers from the Ecuadorian next term.
Was Scholes right or is Caicedo underrated? Drop your take below and share this article with Chelsea fans who love a midfield debate.
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 4 Jun 2025 09:53
he has outperformed any PL defensive midfielder what is Scholes talking about? Maybe he want to see flashy passes from a defensive midfielder, but I would rather have Moises than someone else for example.
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