Makelele backs Chelsea star to challenge for Ballon d’Or

Claude Makelele has backed Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo to ‘compete for the Ballon d’Or next year’.

Caicedo has had an impressive start to the season at Chelsea, including a crucial role in the club’s weekend win at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Ecuadorian, who was named Chelsea’s Player of the Season in 2024/25, leads the league for interceptions and ranks fourth for tackles won.

The former British record signing has evolved into one of Europe’s top defensive midfielders in West London, a position that Makelele mastered during his own time at Chelsea.

Discussing Caicedo’s growing importance to the side, Makelele said he believes the 24-year-old ‘will make history’ at Stamford Bridge. Such is his regard for Caicedo, he added his belief that the midfielder is capable of challenging for the Ballon d’Or next year.

“If he continues, I think he can also compete for the Ballon d’Or next year because he is such a good player,” the Frenchman told The Metro.

“I played in this position and I know how difficult it is to play in this position, how difficult it is to think on your feet. Because when you play in this position, you can’t think for yourself; you need to think about the team, about the way you see it.

“In a game, you need to read quickly in that position. Sometimes the manager doesn’t have time to give you the message and you need to analyse straight away and be like a second manager in the team.

“It’s very, very important that you need to have the character, you need to have a strong mentality. This is not easy, but I’m sure he will be one of the big players for the club moving forward. He will make history in a Chelsea shirt.”

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