Liam Rosenior names Chelsea player who is ‘best in the world right now’ | Football

Chelsea picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Pafos in the Champions League on Wednesday night and Liam Rosenior is convinced he was watching the best player in the world in his position.

It was not a match that will live long in the memory, but the Blues dominated possession and created far more goal-scoring chances at Stamford Bridge, as you would expect.

The Premier League side eventually got their reward in the 78th minute through an unlikely source as Moises Caicedo headed in the winner.

It was a huge three points for Chelsea as it puts them into the top eight in the Champions League group stage with just one game to play.

Caicedo has missed games this season through suspension and Rosenior is delighted to have him back in his starting XI.

The Blues boss feels the Ecuador international is the best example of a defensive midfielder on the planet, and clearly he doesn’t just have defensive qualities to his game.

On how important Caicedo is to his team, Rosenior told TNT Sports: ‘Massive. I said before, for me, defensively he’s the best defensive midfielder in the world right now.

‘He’s a joy to work with. In possession, out of possession, the way he blocks passing lines, the way he makes players around him better.

‘I don’t know how many headers he’s scored in his career but it was a fantastic header in a really, really important moment n the game.’

Former Chelsea star Joe Cole also talked up Caicedo’s importance to Rosenior’s evolving side, suggesting the £100m transfer fee paid to Brighton in 2023 was good value.

‘He’s improving all the time,’ Cole said on TNT. ‘People baulked at the £100m that was spent on him and he took a while to settle in.

‘Around 18 months ago he got back to being that destroyer in midfield, breaking it up, connecting passes and he’s bult from that base and he’s added important goals and leadership.

‘The place was turning a little bit, the fans were getting a bit twitchy at about 75 minutes. When you’re on the pitch in a game you should be winning and you’re not, the nerves kick in, you start trying to force things and that’s when you’re looking round at your big, big players.

‘He’s fast becoming the most important player at this football club and that £100m looks like a snip now.’

The goal against the Cypriot side was Caicedo’s fifth of the season in all competitions and at just 24 years old he feels he has become a leader in Chelsea’s young side.

‘It was a very important goal for the team, I’m so happy we could win this game. It was so tough but the team was good,’ he said.

‘A lot of people tell me I’m a leader, I don’t talk too much in the dressing room but I like to show on the pitch or in training every day. It’s important.’

MORE: Chelsea and England star Cole Palmer linked with shock Premier League transfer

MORE: Steven Gerrard backs Liverpool star to reach ‘another level’ after Champions League win

MORE: Bruno Guimaraes injury update ahead of Newcastle vs Aston Villa