The Ecuador international reflected on his development, his growing leadership role and his relationship with Chelsea supporters in an interview with the club’s official website.
“It has been a great journey for me, more than three special years at one of the best clubs in the world,” Caicedo told the club's website.
“In my first season, I passed some tough moments, I would say. They helped me to grow, to keep developing, and to be in the position I am in right now. I can look back and say it’s a pleasure for what I passed.
“Now I’m just enjoying trying to do everything for this club, because they gave me everything. They helped me in every way, and I’ve grown up a lot because of them. I have more experience now, I’m more mature, and I just want to keep learning and keep doing what I’m doing.
“I feel very grateful to Chelsea, and I want to keep showing the fans and everybody at the club what I am capable of.”
Caicedo also discussed the challenge of becoming a more vocal presence on the pitch. While he recognises that his coaches want him to communicate more, he believes his performances can provide an example to his team-mates.
“I think every coach tells me that I can improve talking on the pitch, you know? Because they know that I'm a leader, but it will be better for me if I start talking more with the players. I try my best, but it’s not in my nature. So when I'm not able to talk, I just try to show even more.”
The midfielder pointed to former Chelsea captain Thiago Silva as an example of the leadership he wants to emulate.
“You learn from the previous ones, like Thiago Silva,” Caicedo said.
“He was an example for us. He tried to help us in every moment. How he was a leader here was amazing for all of us. Now being one of the captains is a pleasure for me, and a special feeling for my family. Even if I’m not a player who likes to talk a lot, I like to show through what I do, so others can see my example.”
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has described Caicedo as “one of the best holding players in the world”. The midfielder believes working under Alonso can help him continue to develop.
“With Xabi I am going to keep developing, for sure, and show him why he trusts me.”
Caicedo’s connection with Chelsea also extends beyond the pitch. He welcomed the club’s work renovating a community pitch in Guayaquil, his home city in Ecuador.
“It was a proud moment for me because Chelsea are doing things in Ecuador and I think I opened that door for them to go,” he said.
The midfielder said the support he receives from both Ecuadorian fans and Chelsea supporters at Stamford Bridge remains a major source of motivation.
“The fans in Ecuador and at Stamford Bridge support me so much. Every game I see people from Ecuador in the stadium. And it’s an amazing feeling when the Chelsea fans sing my song.
“They have been incredible with me. I just want to show them my best every single week because they like going to the game at the weekend and being happy and enjoying it. This is why we work in training every day, because they are on our minds and they deserve good things.”
Caicedo’s latest comments followed his return to action in Chelsea’s 5-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth on 10 October. He helped set up the move for Jordan Henderson’s opening goal before winning the ball in the build-up to Morgan Rogers’ strike. He was substituted in the second half to a standing ovation.
For Caicedo, the relationship with the club is about more than his performances.
“I can say Chelsea is my home, because they treat me like I've been here for a long, long time,” he said. “It’s a special place for me.
“I want to always give them happiness because I know they did everything for me. Everybody here, from the kitman to the coach, is a kind person to me.
“The only thing I can say is that I want to always be the same, but even more so on the pitch. I want to always show my team-mates, the coaches, the fans, just what I'm capable of.”