Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has said midfielder Moises Caicedo has been a huge miss for the club so far this season.
The Ecuadorian is currently recovering from a calf injury.
The Blues have struggled recently, suffering a defeat against Arsenal and managing only a 2-2 draw at home against newly promoted Hull City.
While the team has shown an ability to score goals, they have encountered challenges in defence. Chelsea have netted 18 goals but have also conceded 12 in their six matches across all competitions so far.
Obi Mikel attributes a major concern to the absence of Caicedo, who has only featured for 14 minutes this season.
“We are missing Moises Caicedo. When he returns, I believe we will become a much more solid team,” the Chelsea legend stated on the Obi One Podcast.
“He is the player who disrupts the opposition’s play and ensures that our back four is adequately protected. Our back four is solid.
“The energy he brings, his ability to break up plays, initiate attacks and advance the ball is akin to what Declan Rice offers for Arsenal. That’s the impact Moises Caicedo has for us, and his absence has been tremendously felt.
“Once he is back, I am confident we will improve significantly as a team. There is no doubt about that.”