REVEALED: Why Moises Caicedo Wore a Mask in Chelsea’s Crucial Clash Against Man Utd
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was spotted wearing a protective mask during the Premier League showdown with Manchester United — and the reason behind it has now been revealed.
Moises Caicedo caught the eye in Chelsea’s recent Premier League showdown against Manchester United — not just for his usual midfield energy, but for the black protective mask covering his face.
The 22-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder took to the pitch at Stamford Bridge wearing the facial gear following an injury sustained in Chelsea’s previous match against Newcastle United. According to football.london, Caicedo suffered a blow to the cheek during the bruising encounter at St. James’ Park, though he played the full 90 minutes despite the knock.
As a result of that facial impact, Caicedo has now joined the long list of Chelsea stars who’ve turned to protective masks over the years — a group that includes players like Cesar Azpilicueta, Fernando Torres, and Antonio Rudiger. The mask is intended to shield the affected area from further damage while allowing him to stay active in the starting XI during a crucial run of fixtures.
Just weeks after winning both Chelsea’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards, Caicedo’s willingness to play through pain underlines his importance to Enzo Maresca’s side.
He continues to feature in a demanding hybrid role — often dropping into the backline when Chelsea are out of possession and stepping into midfield when the Blues have the ball. With Romeo Lavia still unavailable and Nicolas Jackson serving a suspension, Maresca has been forced to make key adjustments in recent games, making Caicedo’s presence all the more vital.
Speaking before the clash with Manchester United, Maresca praised Caicedo’s leadership and suggested the midfielder is one of several Chelsea stars deserving of Champions League football.
“Moi [Caicedo] is also a player who deserves Champions League – and Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill too,” Maresca said. “We’re pushing to finish strong because we have players who should be on that stage.”
Caicedo’s masked appearance may be eye-catching, but it’s also symbolic of Chelsea’s grit and determination during a pivotal end to their season. With European football on the line, the midfield warrior is doing whatever it takes to help the Blues finish the campaign in better spot
