Tag Archives: Mauricio Pochettino

Moisés Caicedo Breaks British-Record Transfer Fee in Move from Brighton to Chelsea

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Moisés Caicedo is breaking records… 

The 21-year-old Ecuadorian professional footballer has completed a move from Brighton to Chelsea for a British-record transfer fee of £115 million ($146m), the club announced on Monday.

Moises CaicedoThe move puts an end to a monthslong transfer saga, with Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino having labeled Caicedo as his No. 1 target this summer and the club’s opening bids being rejected by Brighton.

However, Chelsea faced competition for his signature. On Friday, Liverpool broke ground and agreed a £111m fee with Brighton — the first club to do so — only for the midfielder to reject a move to Anfield and instead indicate his desire to join Chelsea.

Chelsea upped their offer, with sources telling ESPN the club agreed a deal on Sunday that includes an initial £100m in guaranteed payments with a further £15m in add-ons. Around half of the add-ons are described as easily achievable with the other half considerably harder to trigger.

“I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club,” Caicedo said in a statement after signing an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

“It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team.”

Caicedo enjoyed a successful spell at Brighton after joining in February 2021 from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle. He spent the first half of the following season on loan with Belgian outfit Beerschot.

He went on to make 53 appearances in all competitions for Brighton and becomes the latest club personnel to go to Chelsea, following in the footsteps of Marc Cucurella and Robert Sánchez as well as former manager Graham Potter.

Chelsea’s coup in signing Caicedo means they have spent over $1 billion in player transfer fees since the new ownership led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover of the club in May 2022.

Moises Caicedo Signs with Chelsea F.C.

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Moises Caicedo is switching sides…

The 21-year-old Ecuadorian professional footballer has signed with Chelsea F.C. from Brighton, according to ESPN.

Moises CaicedoThe Blues have had two bids rejected for Caicedo — the latest totaling £80 million ($101m) — but are expected to return with a third offer as confidence grows that an agreement can be reached.

Brighton have been holding out for a fee in excess of £100m but sources have told ESPN that Caicedo is pushing hard behind the scenes and wants to move to Stamford Bridge.

New Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino told ESPN in an exclusive interview last month that the club needed to strengthen in central areas after including just six midfielders in their 29-man squad for a preseason tour of the U.S.

Chelsea F.C. Announces Official Signing of Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez

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It’s official! Robert Sánchez is leaving Brighton…

Chelsea F.C. has signed the 25-year-old Spanish goalkeeper from Brighton on a seven-year contract, the club announced on Saturday.

Robert Sanchez

As previously reported, Chelsea had agreed a fee in the region of £25 million ($31.7m) for Sanchez.

Chelsea has been looking to bolster their goalkeeping options since Edouard Mendy joined Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli in June.

Chelsea is looking to revive its fortunes under new manager Mauricio Pochettino after coming 12th in the Premier League last season — their worst finish since 1994.

“Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country,” Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said in a statement.

“We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio and his coaching team during the season ahead.”

Sanchez joined Brighton’s academy in 2013 and has made 87 Premier League appearances for the south-coast club, but fell out of favor towards the end of the previous season, with Jason Steele starting 15 of Brighton’s last 16 league games.

Sanchez, who is adept with his feet and has a strong range of passing, has won two caps for Spain. He will compete for the goalkeeper position at Stamford Bridge with compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga.

“Robert is a good guy and a really good player, but being a coach sometimes means making difficult and painful decisions for the team,” Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi said.

“I wish him good luck for the future.”

Chelsea Closing in on Deal to Sign Manuel Ugarte

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Manuel Ugarte may be switching sides soon…

Chelsea are thisclose to signing the 22-year-old Uruguayan professional footballer, a highly rated defensive midfielder for Sporting CP, according to ESPN.

Manuel UgarteBoth the London side and French champions Paris Saint-Germain have offered to trigger the Uruguay international’s release clause of €60 million. However, unlike the Parisians, Chelsea are adding solidarity payments and various bonuses which makes their proposition more attractive, sources said.

Sporting are even encouraging and pushing Ugarte to choose Chelsea ahead of PSG, who are still hoping to convince him, sources added. Ugarte has not yet agreed to anything but, according to sources, a full agreement with Chelsea is now close.

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a big fan of Ugarte, who will line up alongside British-record signing Enzo Fernandez in the Chelsea midfield next season if he decides to join the club.

Despite spending more than £600 million to sign 17 players over the past 12 months since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over the club, it is set to be another bust summer at Chelsea.

Much of that transformation looks set to focus on the team’s midfield with both Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic close to departing.

Mount’s existing deal expires next summer and Chelsea would rather cash in now than lose him for nothing in 2024 if no agreement over an extension can be reached, sources have told ESPN, with Manchester United in pole position for his signature.

Sources have also told ESPN that Manchester City are in talks to sign Croatia international Kovacic.