Moises Caicedo has agreed a new contract with Chelsea in a significant show of faith in owners BlueCo, the Press Association understands.
The Ecuador international, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2023 from Brighton for a then-British record £115million, is set to sign a deal on improved terms that will keep him at the club until 2033 and make him one of their top earners.
A near ever present in midfield this season, he is central to the long-term planning of the club and securing his commitment marks the second huge contract boost in recent weeks after captain Reece James signed a new deal in March.
PA understands Chelsea’s willingness to up the 24-year-old’s pay is reward for what they consider to be his indispensable services and their belief his presence is crucial to the future success of Liam Rosenior’s side.
The club’s usual policy is to give players lowers base salaries than sometimes offered by clubs of comparable size and ambition, but on contracts that are heavily incentivised as regards individual and collective success on the pitch.
This has led to suggestions several of the club’s top stars are underpaid and could obtain more lucrative deals with guaranteed returns elsewhere.
Securing Caicedo’s future could not have come at a better moment for Chelsea. The team are currently on an awful run of form that has seriously threatened their hopes of playing in next season’s Champions League.
After one Premier League win in their last seven, they have slipped four points behind Liverpool, who occupy the final qualification berth.
They face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with their hopes of taking the fight into the campaign’s final weeks on the line.
Despite securing commitment from Caicedo and James, doubts remain about the futures of other key players.
Enzo Fernandez was reprimanded and suspended internally for two matches after openly courting Real Madrid in a podcast interview during the international break, while Marc Cucurella publicly challenged the club’s decision making on recruitment and their call to sack former boss Enzo Maresca.
