Moises Caicedo tries to defend Chelsea's poor pre-season performances

Moises Caicedo has tried to explain Chelsea's lackluster pre-season performances by pointing to issues with the playing surfaces in the United States.

The Blues, currently on an American tour, were held to a 2-2 draw by League One side Wrexham AFC in California before being thumped by Scottish club Celtic 4-1.

Chelsea managed to record a 3-0 victory over Mexican team Club America but then lost 4-2 to Premier League champions Manchester City at Ohio Stadium.

Ahead of their next match against Real Madrid in North Carolina, Caicedo was asked to explain why Chelsea haven’t been doing so well in the United States.

Rather than taking any kind of accountability, Caicedo, who has largely struggled at Stamford Bridge since his big-money move last year, hit out at the ‘dry’ pitches.

‘It’s not the same to play as in Europe as the pitches are so good in Europe and here they are not so good,’ the Ecuador international midfielder said.

‘The pitches are so dry, we know we are players with amazing qualities but sometimes it is not you, it’s the pitches.’

Chelsea fans have largely been angered by those comments with one supporter posting on X: ‘Players are being combative and searching for excuses, this guy needs to be reminded he played the whole Copa America on these pitches.’

Meanwhile, Caicedo has also spoken about his decision to snub Liverpool in order to join Chelsea from Brighton in August 2023, as the Blues paid a British-record fee of £115m.

‘It was a difficult decision because you know Liverpool is a big team,’ the 22-year-old added.

‘But Chelsea were with me for a couple of months and I felt like I couldn’t miss this move.

‘They were with me in tough times when Brighton didn’t want to let me go. It was a difficult decision, but 100 per cent the right one.’

Caicedo has played 48 matches for Chelsea to date and will be hoping to go up a level under new head coach Enzo Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino.