It is an example of Moises Caicedo’s humility that he is more comfortable with saying he is the best table tennis player around, rather than saying he is the best midfielder around.
The 23-year-old ended the debate around his £115m fee from Brighton in a season when he started every Premier League game for Chelsea, played more minutes than anyone else and is now regarded as one of the club’s star players alongside Cole Palmer.
The Ecuador midfielder also won both Chelsea’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards.
When asked if he is among the best in the world in his position, Caicedo replied: “I don’t think that. I am working on that. I want to become one of the best midfielders in the world but I am too far right now.
“I am working hard every day and want to show it on the pitch.”
A Club World Cup final against Champions League-winners Paris St-Germain offers chance to prove himself in a way where he cannot be denied such status.
“Yes, exactly,” he added. “I want to do my talking on the pitch, showing my great football and then people can talk about me.
“You know people always talk when you are doing well. Even when they say bad things, I don’t care because I just want to help my team and I focus on that.”
In this more than one-month long tournament in the United States, Chelsea’s players have spent a lot of time together and, when it comes to a club table tennis tournament at the team’s various hotels, Caicedo insists in that arena he is the best.
“Yes, I am the best at that.. I am the best, I am the best!” he added while laughing. “It’s good, fun and we have been having a good time and a lot of laughs. Who is the worst? I won’t say that!”
There have been doubts about Caicedo’s fitness for Sunday’s showpiece after he came off early with an ankle problem in the semi-final win over Fluminense, but there was positive news as he trained with the squad on Thursday.
