Moises Caicedo explains 'difficult decision' to snub Liverpool for Chelsea

Moises Caicedo has admitted that choosing Chelsea over Liverpool last summer was a 'difficult decision' as he looks ahead to his second season at Stamford Bridge.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder made the move to west London last August for a British-record transfer valued at £115m, just days after the Seagulls had agreed a similarly-priced deal with Liverpool. The midfielder opted for a move to Chelsea, who succeeded with a bid after seeing multiple offers rejected earlier in the window.

Caicedo took a while to show his best form for the Blues, but ended his debut campaign registering one goal and four assists in 48 appearances, becoming one of the more reliable figures in their squad.

He has now taken the time to reflect on his first season as well as the decision to choose Chelsea over Liverpool.

"It was a difficult decision because you know Liverpool is a big team," he said. "But Chelsea were with me for a couple of months and I felt like I couldn't miss this move. They were with me in tough times when Brighton didn't want to let me go. It was a difficult decision, but 100% the right one.

"At the beginning [at Chelsea] it was tough for me. With the price, I always had to win. The pressure at Brighton was less. But I got used to it.

"I can say Mauricio and his staff, they were with me every step. They helped me show my quality, and I also have a person outside the club who helps me handle the pressure. I felt a lot of pressure because of the club's history. But after the last four or five months, I felt more comfortable at the club."

Caicedo featured in Chelsea's 4-2 pre-season defeat to Manchester City on Saturday but was unable to make a difference as Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick. The Blues will play two more friendlies, against Real Madrid and Inter, before facing Pep Guardiola's side again in their Premier League season-opener.

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