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I've been watching a few full matches from Moises Caicedo (linked with #MUFC) playing in the Copa Libertadores over the past few days, so I thought I would write a brief scouting report.
Know this will come back to bite me when he inevitably signs for Leipzig, but here we go..
Know this will come back to bite me when he inevitably signs for Leipzig, but here we go..
Moises just turned 19 in November, but has already set the Ecuadorian league on fire, earning him a call-up and a debut for the Ecuadorian national team in October.
In those two games, he kept Messi very quiet against Argentina and also scored against Uruguay in a 4-2 win.
In those two games, he kept Messi very quiet against Argentina and also scored against Uruguay in a 4-2 win.
Caicedo has been playing a box to box role for Independiente del Valle recently, although it appears from looking at clips that he was a more withdrawn CDM before this.
Further up the pitch, he does a similar role to the one Kante was asked to do for Chelsea in the 18/19 season.
Further up the pitch, he does a similar role to the one Kante was asked to do for Chelsea in the 18/19 season.
Caicedo's key attributes are his energy and his tackling, often using his long legs to reach the ball and stop the opposition passing him. Defences really struggle to pass around his relentless press.
He seems very alert to me; always reacting quickly and reading the ball well.
He seems very alert to me; always reacting quickly and reading the ball well.
I am most impressed with his marking and position discipline - during Independiente's 5-0 drubbing of Flamengo, he completely marked Gerson out of the game, whilst also finding enough space to score himself.
It felt like he was man-marking about 4 different men at times...
It felt like he was man-marking about 4 different men at times...
Last season, it appears he was in a more withdrawn CDM role. At times he was the most withdrawn player on the pitch, dropping in next to the CBs when Independiente are in possession.
He seems to have stuck to his position very well, and is clearly adept at shielding the back 4.
He seems to have stuck to his position very well, and is clearly adept at shielding the back 4.
With the ball, he is quite capable. As a withdrawn CDM, he has shown good press-resistance and ability to receive the ball from his CBs under pressure.
When deeper, he also shows good diagonal and horizontal long-ball ability. Spreads the ball well.
When deeper, he also shows good diagonal and horizontal long-ball ability. Spreads the ball well.
His short passing is probably the weakest side to his game, although he's not bad by any stretch. He just needs to tighten up that area.
His line-breaking passes and through balls are really impressive and precise at times; it's just about being more consistent with it...
His line-breaking passes and through balls are really impressive and precise at times; it's just about being more consistent with it...
He shows great willingness to get involved with his teammates, play 1-2's, and join in with attacks and counters. He has a few goals to his name, usually achieved by driving into the box or shooting from distance.
His shots can be really ferocious. Roy Keane kind of shots.
His shots can be really ferocious. Roy Keane kind of shots.
His strength is good, but in the PL he would struggle at first. At 19, obviously this is something he can work on.
If he's a lone CDM, he is a BIT shorter at 5'11(ish) than I usually like one to be. He shows aerial bravery, but again, this is something he can work on.
If he's a lone CDM, he is a BIT shorter at 5'11(ish) than I usually like one to be. He shows aerial bravery, but again, this is something he can work on.
Obviously the PL is a different world to the Ecuadorian league. He will have a lot of learning to do if he comes. However, his team DID do well in the 2020 Copa Libertadores by qualifying from their group, and at 19, he is being tested like very few teenagers are.
At 19 and with an undoubtedly low transfer fee (quoted as between €5-15, he is going to be an exciting acquisition for the right team.
