Poch compares Caicedo to ZIDANE as he explains the problems of the Chelsea flop
MURICIO POCHETTINO says the pressure on Moises Caicedo is making it difficult for Chelsea to sign his record.
But mentioning the £115m midfielder in the same breath as Zinedine Zidane won't make life any easier.
3
3
Head coach Pochettino compared Caicedo's stuttering start at Stamford Bridge to the journey Zidane made after signing for Real Madrid in 2001 for a world record £70million.
Zidane went on to become a Champions League winner with the Spanish giants and one of the most celebrated footballers of all time. Caicedo, 22, still has a way to go.
Pochettino said: “Remember when Zidane or Kaka went to Real Madrid – they paid a big sum of money.
“Zidane was 26 or 27. I think it took seven to eight months for him to perform because expectations are high and adjustment is difficult. The pressure is enormous.
“Moises didn't do any pre-season, he had some problems when he was traveling on international duty.
“There are too many things that have slowed down the adjustment to the team.
“Then all the circumstances slow us down a bit to perform.
“But there is no doubt that he has the profile to be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
FREE BETTS – BEST BETTS & BONUSES FOR NEW CUSTOMERS
“We live in a different era today.
“If you spend money like Bayern Munich did on Harry Kane, say €100 million, after 10 years of being the Premier League's top scorer, there is no way he would move to another league and not score.
“Now you want to sign a good player with the potential to become one of the best in his position. Sometimes in the league with another club we see the same names and you have to spend money.”
Pochettino is referring to last summer's battle between Chelsea and Liverpool for Caicedo.
Brighton accepted a £111million bid from Liverpool for their star man before heart ruled the wallet and the Ecuadorian joined the team he supported as a boy for an initial £100million.
In any case, he will see Liverpool's famous pitch tonight when the two teams meet.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is embarking on a long farewell party after announcing his plan to step down at the end of the season.
But he can celebrate his 200th Premier League win with victory over Chelsea.
Former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino said: “It's a special game for him.
“It will always remain special until the end.
“Every time they play at Anfield it's going to be a party, to celebrate and to give him all the love that they feel, the fans feel for him and I think it's deserved.
“But we think we have to go there and win the game.
“Sorry, but we don't want to be involved or part of the celebration.
“We want to perform well and win the match.
“He is a coach, a person I will miss. I enjoy watching him on the sidelines and the team he leads.
“I hope he's only gone for a few months, maybe a year, and then comes back.”
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: The latest transfer deals from around the world in January