Bruco signs ‘wonder kid’ who could become Chelsea’s new Caicedo & Enzo

Although not all signings have been successful, Chelsea have built a sensational team in recent years.

In the final half, the likes of Reece James, Mark Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are likely to start for most Premier League teams.

Similarly, Cole Palmer is one of the best attacking players in world soccer, and Estevao looks like a player who could develop into a world-class superstar.

Finally, Enzo Maresca also has some unrealistic midfield options, including two standouts in Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes, and as if that wasn’t enough, Chelsea may already have the perfect successors for both of them.

Comparison of Fernandes and Caicedo in 2025/26

Fans may be divided on who Chelsea’s most important players are, but most would definitely agree that Caicedo and Fernandes are on the list.

But how do they stack up against each other so far this season?

Well, starting with some of the basic surface-level barometers, the Argentine played 24 games, mostly in central midfield, scoring five goals and registering two assists.

Meanwhile, the Ecuadorian has made 21 appearances for the first team, almost all of them in six games, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

Given the fact that the former Brighton & Hove Albion talent plays deeper than his team-mates, you’d probably have to say he almost wins in terms of output.

However, he is arguably the second best in terms of temperament, with six yellow cards and one red card compared to the former Benfica player’s four.

Okay, so which international superstar looks better when you compare the underlying numbers?

Unsurprisingly, the former Seagulls ace excels in all aspects of defense, while the World Cup winner is even better in attack.

However, metrics such as passing accuracy, goal-producing actions, and goals per shot all score 90 points, mostly in the Santo Domingo-born monster’s favor.

That said, while Caicedo looks like the better player, Fernandes remains an integral part of the Chelsea team, and it appears the club may already have a young player who could be his successor or partner in midfield.

Incredible talent who could replace Caicedo or Fernandes

Therefore, a player has to be something special to be considered as a future replacement for Caicedo or Fernandes.

The good news is that Mohammad Zongo is exactly that person, as those familiar with the matter have suggested.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Bruco, the consortium that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg, had agreed to sign the young player from Burkina Faso.

He is set to join the French team when he turns 18 in the next two years and is considered a promising prospect at Stamford Bridge.

That being said, why is he the man who could be the successor to one of the Blues’ two best midfielders?

First of all, he is a positionally versatile prospect who can play both in attack and deep in midfield, which is likely one of the reasons why Chelsea writer Lloyd Canfield said the youngster “plays in a unique way, like a mix between Estebao and Moises Caicedo”.

Furthermore, analyst Filipe Souza described the teenage prodigy as “a complete and energetic box-to-box midfielder who contributes in all phases of the game”.

Souza added that the youngster is “technically clean and physically strong”, which helps him cover space quickly, win the ball and start attacks.

When I see a description like this, I can’t help but think of Maresca’s Ecuadorian bailiff.

But he’s more than just an engine, with U23 scout Antonio Mango calling him a “magical” player for his ability to create chances for his team-mates.

After all, it will be a long time before Chelsea fans see Zongo representing them, but they can’t help but be excited about the possibility of him becoming a long-term successor to Caicedo and Fernandes.