‘The Caicedo Role’! Claude Makelele Passes Defensive Midfield Moniker to Chelsea Star Moisés

Chelsea Legend Endorses Caicedo After Breakout Season in Makelele’s Iconic Position

There are few greater honors in football than receiving the blessing of a legend who helped shape the role you now occupy. For Moisés Caicedo, that moment has arrived. The Chelsea midfielder has not only won over fans with his performances this past season—he’s earned the highest praise imaginable from the man whose name once defined the defensive midfield position: Claude Makelele.

In an exclusive interview with GiveMeSport, Makelele spoke glowingly of Caicedo’s development, influence and humility, suggesting that the Ecuadorian has taken over what was once known across Europe as the “Makelele role.” In a game that often overlooks the art of disruption and positioning, the Frenchman’s approval is more than a passing comment—it’s a generational passing of the torch.

Makelele: From Iconic Figure to Proud Mentor

SOCCER-CL-REAL MADRID-MILAN

Claude Makelele was never one for headlines or highlight reels. But his presence was the backbone of every team he graced—whether it was Real Madrid’s Galácticos or José Mourinho’s early Chelsea juggernauts. He redefined what it meant to shield the back four, to dictate tempo, and to read a game two steps ahead of everyone else.

So when Makelele refers to Moisés Caicedo’s job on the pitch as “the Caicedo role,” you sit up and take notice.

“I think it is the ‘Caicedo role’ now,” Makelele told GiveMeSport. “It gives me happiness if these young players take some things from me. Now this position has started to be recognised in world football.”

It’s a sentiment that speaks to the long-overdue spotlight on the defensive midfielder—a role once seen as auxiliary, now central to modern success.

Caicedo: From Brighton Breakout to Chelsea Backbone

Caicedo arrived at Chelsea with high expectations and an even higher transfer fee. His early months at Stamford Bridge were turbulent, as the team around him struggled to find form or rhythm. But as the dust settled, Caicedo’s influence began to rise.

His ability to win the ball, make smart progressive passes, and maintain positional discipline made him indispensable. By the end of the 2024–25 season, Caicedo was not just a starter—he was Chelsea’s Player of the Year.

Makelele clearly took notice. “With Caicedo, I love this boy. He’s humble and hard-working,” he said. “I talked with him before he arrived at Chelsea and he told me I was his example. I’m sure he can be a success at Chelsea because he’s a good player.”

Coming from a player widely regarded as the best in his position of his generation, that’s more than a compliment—it’s validation.

The Bigger Picture: Defensive Midfielders Finally Getting Their Due

Makelele’s comments also underscore a broader shift in football’s valuation of midfielders who do the dirty work. For years, the spotlight belonged almost exclusively to goalscorers, dribblers, and playmakers. Defensive midfielders were rarely on Ballon d’Or shortlists or magazine covers.

But times are changing.

“I was happy to see Rodri win the Ballon d’Or,” Makelele added. “Because in my time the focus was not on this kind of midfielder. It was always about strikers or wingers and never midfielders. This position is one of the most important in the game, and now we see Rodri, or Pedri at Barcelona, getting acclaim.”

It’s a subtle but significant evolution in football culture—one that elevates players like Caicedo into the spotlight they deserve.

Chelsea’s Next Chapter Under Enzo Maresca

With a new manager in Enzo Maresca at the helm, Chelsea are entering a fresh chapter. The chaos of recent seasons appears to be giving way to structure and long-term planning. Stability, strategy, and style—three words seldom associated with the Blues in recent years—are now back in focus.

Makelele sees promise in the project.

“I think this new Chelsea can be successful now,” he said. “We need to wait for Chelsea to win the Premier League again, and they are starting to build a strategy and some stability. And they need momentum, which is why I think winning the Club World Cup will help.”

That’s not just a soundbite—it’s a statement of belief from someone who knows what success at Chelsea looks like.

Club World Cup: A Chance to Build Confidence

Moises Caicedo Chelsea 2024-25

Chelsea begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a group stage fixture against Los Angeles FC, followed by tests against Flamengo and Esperance Tunis. While the competition might not carry the same prestige in Europe as the Champions League, Makelele believes it could serve a vital purpose.

Momentum.

For a squad still gelling under new leadership and populated by young stars like Caicedo, a trophy this early in the season could set the tone for bigger things.

Caicedo, meanwhile, is expected to anchor the midfield in all three matches. If he performs anything like he did in the Premier League’s final stretch, Chelsea’s chances are promising.

Looking Ahead: What Caicedo Must Do Next

Makelele’s praise is not a final verdict—it’s a challenge. If Caicedo is to truly make the role his own, he must maintain this level consistently.

The Premier League is unforgiving. A few misplaced passes or defensive lapses can quickly turn adoration into criticism. But if his performances last season are anything to go by, Caicedo is up to the task.

He doesn’t need to be flashy. He doesn’t need to score goals or rack up assists. He just needs to keep doing what he does best—winning the ball, protecting the backline, setting the tempo.

And if he does, the “Caicedo Role” may not just be a passing remark from a legend—it could be the blueprint for a new generation of defensive midfielders.