Moises Caicedo believes a challenging season has provided valuable lessons, but with an FA Cup final still to come later this month, the midfielder is focused on finishing the campaign strongly and delivering silverware.
It’s been a season of highs, lows and everything in between for the Blues and the midfielder, who has made 51 appearances across all competitions, including the Club World Cup – his highest in a single campaign for the Blues. And over that half-century, he acknowledges there have been plenty of lessons to take.
Although Caicedo admitted consistency has been an issue for the team this term, the Ecuadorian international believes those experiences will prove invaluable in the future, particularly with four crucial games left to play.
‘The team has not been consistent,’ Caicedo said, speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool. ‘I've tried to use it as a moment to learn from everybody because we were not playing well or doing the right things. We were inconsistent.
‘I can say that I learned that when we play games, and we’re not being consistent, we lose games – we might be winning one-nil, and then we go on to lose. So, I learned a lot of things, to be honest. In the future, it's going to be very important.
‘Now it’s about finishing well because, for us, we still have the FA Cup final, so we want to give everything.’
Still only 24 and having signed a new deal last month, Caicedo has taken on added responsibility this season, including captaining the side on several occasions – most recently against Manchester United in April.
He is keen to stress, however, that the role is a shared one, with learning still a key part of his development alongside his more experienced and younger team-mates.
He continued: ‘I have had more responsibility with the other guys, but to be honest, it's not a heavy responsibility because I am still young. For sure, I'm going to learn from the young players as well. In the future, it's going to be massive for me as well.
‘I'm preparing well in every aspect because it's going to help me. I am still young, and I can learn from everybody.’
Part of that development has also come in front of goal. Caicedo has scored five times this season – his highest tally in a single campaign since moving to England – and, as our No.25 explains, improving that aspect of his game has been a clear focus.
‘This season, I told myself that I needed to score goals because that's the only thing I was missing in the last few seasons,’ he said. ‘I think I’ve done better in that, and next season, it's going to be even better.
Now, his focus returns to the present and a huge run-in for the Blues. Between Cobham and Stamford Bridge, Moi wants to let his performances on the pitch speak for themselves.
He added: ‘I don't want to talk a lot because I'm one who wants to show more than talk. And when the FA Cup final comes, I'm ready to show this again and get the trophy.’