Caicedo keen to regain Chelsea consistency after injury return

Moises Caicedo wants to continue repaying Chelsea's faith in him after returning from injury to make his first start of the season, with a trip to Everton being the Blues' next test.

Having initially suffered a calf injury during pre-season before aggravating the same issue, Caicedo was restricted to just 14 total minutes of action prior to the international break, as a substitute in a 4-3 win over Brighton in August.

But on Saturday, he started as Xabi Alonso's side routed Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge to halt a three-match winless streak (D1 L2) and go sixth in the Premier League.

Following his injury lay-off, the Ecuador international now wants to get back to the level that prompted Chelsea to spend £115m on him in January 2024.

"It has been a great journey for me, more than three special years at one of the best clubs in the world," Caicedo told Chelsea's website.

"In my first season, I passed some tough moments, I would say. They helped me to grow, to keep developing, and to be in the position I am in right now. I can look back and say it’s a pleasure, with what I passed.

"Now, I'm just enjoying trying to do everything for this club, because they gave me everything. They helped me in every way, and I've grown up a lot because of them. 

"I have more experience now, I'm more mature, and I just want to keep learning and keep doing what I'm doing.

"I feel very grateful to Chelsea, and I want to keep showing the fans and everybody at the club what I am capable of."

Chelsea's next opponents are only above them on goal difference, having won two and drawn four of their last six matches, sharing four goals equally with Hull City last time out.

The positive feeling surrounding Everton's on-pitch performances contrasts starkly with the criticism reserved for their transfer strategy, after The Friedkin Group – who recently put the club up for sale – almost sanctioned the sale of promising youngster Harrison Armstrong.

Armstrong looked set to join Nottingham Forest after a bid for his services was accepted, but fan outcry led Everton's hierarchy to perform a U-Turn, and the 19-year-old is glad to still be at his boyhood club.  

"The support has meant the world to me and my family," Armstrong told EvertonTV. "I understand it's part of the game and you're going to have to experience moments like that, but for a fanbase to get involved and show as much support as they did, is special.

"I don't think I've seen that before. I've given me confidence, it's made me feel loved and it's cemented that this is the place to be for me."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Everton – Thierno Barry

After a run of just one goal in seven Premier League games, Barry has now scored in his last two appearances in the competition. He last scored in three consecutive league games back in August 2024, in the Swiss Super League with Basel.

Chelsea – Danny Welbeck 

Welbeck has scored against Everton in the Premier League for Sunderland (twice), Manchester United, Arsenal and Brighton (once each). 

There are seven instances of a player scoring against a club with five different teams in the competition, with Nicolas Anelka the only player to do so against the Toffees (Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea).

MATCH PREDICTION – EVERTON WIN

Although Everton boss David Moyes has never won in 21 attempts at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, he has won eight of his last 13 home games against the Blues (D2 L3), with those victories split between Everton and West Ham (four each).

Furthermore, Chelsea have won just one of their last nine away Premier League games against Everton (D2 L6), a 1-0 victory in August 2022. They have failed to score in seven of those games, including the last three.

And though they are the third-highest goalscorers in the Premier League this season, no side has conceded more so often this term than Chelsea (13). 

The Blues have conceded in each of their last 22 league games, only once having a longer run without a clean sheet (31 games between November 1960 and August 1961).

With Everton still unbeaten and boasting home advantage, Moyes may just fancy his chances of masterminding another upset.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 42.9%

Chelsea – 30.4% 

Draw – 26.7%