Chelsea icon Claude Makelele issues honest verdict on Moises Caicedo 'best in world' claim

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has drawn comparisons to idol Claude Makelele since joining the Blues from Brighton

Moises has what it takes to become the best midfield player in world football - but he isn't there just yet.

That's the verdict of former Chelsea maestro Claude Makelele, who has urged the Ecuador international to take his leadership qualities to the next level.

Makelele said when quizzed on comparisons between himself and the 24-year-old Blues starlet: "He can be the best but there are many, many, many good midfielders. He's a young boy and I like him a lot.

"Does he look like me? Yes! But he's not me, he's different and can progress because he has a lot of talent, space and time on his side. At the beginning, it was the same with N'Golo Kante, I spoke with him also about his leadership.

"Leadership means to demonstrate you are the best player at Chelsea, you're the one that when you're not there, the team is struggling.

"It makes you understand responsibility and the importance of setting the example at the training ground.

"You need to start every match strong and win the team games, even when you lose a game, you make the team stronger and win the next one.

"When he passes this level, then we can start talking about him as the best midfielder in the world."

While BlueCo's ambitious project has not come without scrutiny, Makelele feels Enzo Maresca is slowly beginning to reap the rewards of the club's forward-thinking strategy.

He makes Chelsea Premier League title contenders, even if they're currently eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

The Frenchman continued: "The quality is there, Chelsea have a young team full of talent. They're starting to demonstrate that they can compete in the Premier League for many years.

"I think Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have anticipated this kind of project gives you a platform and it will be a success. I think they will fight for the title this season because they look focused.

"We will see about the Champions League, which is different but they need to be competitive like Arsenal were last year."

Makelele is also backing Joao Pedro to fire the Blues to silverware - providing he receives the service.

The Brazilian notched the winner, his first goal since August, at Tottenham on Saturday.

The 52-year-old continued: "If the striker doesn't get the ball, he can't score and that's the same at every club in world football.

"Chelsea is another level for Pedro, the Brazil national team has so many attacking options, it's not easy but he's scoring goals and he's happy.

"Happiness is the most important thing, if Chelsea deliver the ball, he can demonstrate that he has what it takes to help them win trophies."

Claude Makelele was speaking on behalf of bet365, the official global partner of the UEFA Champions League, which is hosting its Big Ticket Giveaway on Tuesday 4th November outside Kings Cross Station from 1530, where fans have the chance to win tickets to UEFA Champions League matches. Full Terms and Conditions apply. +18 Gamble Responsibly.