Moises Caicedo ‘working hard' to feature for Chelsea in Club World Cup final
The news is a boost for manager Enzo Maresca with another midfielder, Romeo Lavia, looking unlikely to be available.
Lavia has missed the last two games with a muscular problem and was not involved in the part of Thursday's training session at New York Red Bulls' Sports Illustrated Stadium that was open to media.
Caicedo's presence could be crucial as Chelsea seek to neutralise the threat of European champions PSG's potent attack at the MetLife Stadium.
The 23-year-old has impressed throughout a season now into its 12th month and is considered among the best in the world in his position.
Caicedo himself is modest about such plaudits, but has a determination to aim for the top.
'I don't think that,' he said. 'I am working on that. I want to become one of the best midfielders in the world but I am too far (away from that) right now.
'I am working hard every day and want to show it on the pitch. I am looking forward to the game.'
The match will be Chelsea's 64th and last of a campaign that began last August.
Come and support us in New York in Sunday's FIFA Club World Cup final! 👊🔵
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 9, 2025
They will fly home next Monday and finally begin their summer holidays.
Maresca has promised the squad three weeks off before returning to training ahead of next season. That will give them a fortnight to prepare for their Premier League opener with Crystal Palace on August 17.
Caicedo insists he is not looking that far ahead yet.
'To be honest, I am focused on here,' he said. 'We want to win this tournament and we will see after.'
Caicedo may not consider himself the world's best midfielder, but there is one area where he is convinced he reigns supreme – on the table tennis table in the team hotel.
He said: 'Yes, I am the best at that – the best! It's good, fun and we have been having a good time and a lot of laughs. The worst? I won't say that!'
Defender Tosin Adarabioyo, one of the senior members in the squad at the age of 27, has also been enjoying time at the team's base camp.
He said: 'Our minds have been set on getting to the final and the gaffer's been great, giving us some downtime wherever we've been.
'So we've been able to have the right time to forget about football a little bit and just focus on enjoying our times together and that's what we've done.'
Striker Liam Delap and defender Levi Colwill are both back in contention to face PSG after suspension.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz can't help but smile in training at moment that's caught on camera – 'Oh my'
New Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz has only played in a behind-closed-doors friendly, but the club's social media team have provided a glimpse of what he could bring to the team Florian Wirtz is already turning heads as he gears up for the new season following his record-breaking transfer to Liverpool. The Reds completed a deal worth up to £116million for the midfielder, who was hot property after his dazzling displays for Bayer Leverkusen. The signing of the Germany international for a potential British record fee signals Liverpool's ambition not only to defend their Premier League crown next season, but also to build for future success. Wirtz racked up 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 matches during his last season with Leverkusen, sparking excitement about how he could bolster Arne Slot's team. Wirtz did not feature in the team's first pre-season friendly against Preston North End, but he did get a run-out in a behind-closed-doors 5-0 victory over Stoke City, where he had a hand in two goals. While fans eagerly await Wirtz's Liverpool debut, the club's social media team shared footage of the 22-year-old wowing his new Liverpool team-mates during a training session on the team's pre-season tour. The video showed Wirtz participating in a training exercise, starting with the midfielder receiving a pass with his back to goal. He played the ball back before darting down the channel, seamlessly taking control of the return pass. As defenders closed him down and narrowed the angle, Wirtz coolly chipped the goalkeeper, eliciting cheers from his team-mates. An off-camera voice exclaimed, 'Oh my goodness,' in awe of Wirtz's finish. He casually returned to his position with a hint of a smile after showcasing his skills. Fellow new signing Jeremie Frimpong has already hinted at what his ex-Leverkusen colleague will add to the Liverpool team. "Just expect a winner. He's a very, very, very special player and for me, he's a very hard-working guy," Frimpong said to Sky Sports. "The league will love him – I haven't got to talk too much, just watch him! "Flo, he doesn't crumble under pressure – he likes pressure. He's a guy that likes pressure. I feel like when you're on the pitch you forget about everything, you just enjoy football, you just play and Flo is one of the guys who makes you enjoy football. "Just seeing how he plays. He's going to be perfect and he's playing with Liverpool players [too] – so he's going to be perfect. He's going to be fine." Echoing Frimpong's sentiments, Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has also praised Wirtz: "I think everyone knows Florian and also here in training he is a really good player: technical, really good vision," he said. "So I am really happy that he is here and I can't wait for the season to start also to play with him." Wirtz will hope to get some game time in the club's friendly with AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday. The Reds will then face J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos next week. New signing Hugo Ekitike joined up with the Liverpool squad in Hong Kong earlier this week after his switch from Eintracht Frankfurt. Andy Robertson has discussed how the club's experienced players have taken responsibility for helping the new recruits, like Wirtz and Ekitike, settle in quickly. "When you look at the four older players or the leaders, with me, Ali [Becker], Virg [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah], then we take that upon ourselves to try to let them settle in as easy as possible, try to integrate them into the squad as quickly as possible," Robertson told "We take great pride in that. We were all young before, we've all needed help going into squads. We still help the young lads as much as we can. "When it is new players, helping them settle in – finding houses, even just getting them settled with their family, because we know how important that is – it's so important."
Powys County Times
27 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Wrexham make ambitious approach for Christian Eriksen, according to his agent
Wrexham have made an ambitious approach for Christian Eriksen, according to the former Manchester United midfielder's agent. The 33-year-old Denmark international is without a club after his contract with United expired at the end of the 2024-25 season. Eriksen's agent Martin Schoots told the Daily Mail: 'Wrexham are really upgrading everything both on and off the field, and it is a hugely impressive project, as you can see from the presence of people like (chief executive) Michael Williamson there. 'But Christian still wants to play in a first-tier competition and he absolutely wants to stay in Western Europe. 'There are some contacts going on but it has to suit both sides.' Signing Eriksen, who has won 144 caps for Denmark and has also played for Tottenham and Brentford in the Premier League, would be a major statement of Wrexham's Championship intent. Eriksen made 35 appearances in all competitions for United – scoring five goals – and has also played for Ajax and Inter Milan in his distinguished career. Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have showed plenty of ambition ahead of the Red Dragons' return to the second tier of English football after a 43-year absence. They have already added Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward, left-back Liberato Cacace, midfielders Lewis O'Brien and George Thomason and forwards Josh Windass and Ryan Hardie to their ranks after a third consecutive promotion. It has been reported that Wrexham, who begin their Championship campaign at Southampton on August 9, have broken their transfer record twice this summer.
Daily Mirror
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Rio Ferdinand's view after watching Viktor Gyokeres 'really closely' could worry Arsenal fans
Viktor Gyokeres is closing in on a summer move to Arsenal but Rio Ferdinand has expressed concerns about the Sporting Lisbon star excelling in the Premier League Rio Ferdinand is not convinced that Arsenal-bound Viktor Gyokeres will get the opportunities he's enjoyed in Portugal once he completes a move to the Premier League. The former Manchester United star previously expressed concerns about the Red Devils going after the Swedish star despite his goal record. Gyokeres has excelled in recent years with Sporting Lisbon, scoring just shy of 100 goals across the last two years. However, as with any striker not operating in one of Europe's top five leagues, there have been those who've questioned whether Gyokeres would be as prolific in England. The Swedish striker is set to complete a move to Arsenal from Sporting this weekend. It is understood that the two clubs have eventually agreed on a £63.5m deal after the move was initially held up because of negotiations regarding add-on payments. Ferdinand claims he's observed Gyokeres closely on several occasions and believes he's getting chances that won't come his way in England and also believes, once his physicality is nullified, he could struggle. He said on his podcast: "I don't think he's the guy. I've watched him probably three times really, really closely. And three times I've gone: 'He ain't getting that opportunity in the Prem.'" The ex-United defender also questioned: "Is there enough - after he's physically matched - to get him a goal?" Gyokeres has proved himself to be among the sharpest strikers in Europe, scoring 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season as they claimed another league title. That haul included a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City. Adding a No 9 has been a priority for Arsenal this summer and the north Londoners turned their attention to Gyokeres after Benjamin Sesko's wage demands proved to be a sticking point in negotiations. The 27-year-old has been given permission to travel so that he can complete his medical ahead of the ex-Coventry City frontman signing a five-year contract. Once a deal is over the line Gyokeres is due to join up with the Arsenal squad in Singapore on the first leg of their pre-season tour of Asia.
