Chelsea boss, Xabi Alonso, has rated midfielder, Moises Caicedo as one of the ‘best holding players’ in the world.

Alonso stated this ahead of Chelsea’s pre-season friendly with Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney on Saturday.

Caicedo recently joined the Blues squad for the pre-season tour following his World Cup exploits for Ecuador.

“From the outside, you see his quality, his heart, his mentality,” Alonso said of Caicedo as quoted by Chelsea’s website.

“I know Ecuadorian players are different. I have spoken to him on the phone, but this is the first contact.

“He is a top player, one of the best holding players in the world, no doubt. Now he is here, and it is time to start work and improve and get better.”