'MONEY TALKS!' - Ex-Chelsea star SLAMS Caicedo's decision to reject Liverpool

James Shearman

• Updated: 24 Aug 2023 19:08 BST
• 3 min read

Ex-Chelsea midfielder and Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has criticised Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia's decision to sign for the Blues.

Both Caicedo and Lavia were targeted by Liverpool but turned them down in favour of the west London club.

Petit believes that this was nothing more than a financial decision, which he was far from complimentary of.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

"I am not going to say anything stupid but we all know why they went to Chelsea," Petit told BettingSites. "Sportingly, the best decision right now would be to go to Liverpool.

"If I am Caicedo or Lavia, I am going to Liverpool instead of Chelsea because I can’t see a clear plan for what is going on at Chelsea.

"If you ask somebody why Caicedo and Lavia decided to go, the answer is just money. Money talks for the clubs and for the players."

Chelsea’s XI with Caicedo

Robert Sanchez – another summer arrival from Brighton – will be the man in goal for the season.

Reece James will play at right-back when he is fit, otherwise it will be Frenchman Malo Gusto. The same can be said for Ben Chilwell on the left, who has Marc Cucurella as his understudy.

Wesley Fofana’s ACL injury has ruled him out until 2024 and therefore Thiago Silva will likely be the one turned to on the right of the centre-back pairing, with Levi Colwill on the left.

Caicedo will partner Enzo, with that pair providing a nice balance of defensive discipline, press-resistance and passing range.

Christopher Nkunku could be used as a central striker by Pochettino, but he looks perfectly suited to be deployed in a similar role to the one Dele performed at Spurs, although he is out until January after picking up an injury in pre-season.

Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling is the most likely wing combination, although Noni Madueke will see considerable minutes on the right, while summer signing Nicolas Jackson will lead the line.