Chelsea icon insists Moises Caicedo still has ‘long way to go’ before giving damning verdict on Liverpool star

And while the Ecuadorian had a somewhat sluggish start to life in the capital, he now sees himself considered one of the best midfielders in the league.

The star has even added goals to his ever-growing repertoire, netting three times this season in more and more spectacular fashion.

His recent strike was the most emphatic of all; a stunning 25-yard thunderbolt into the top corner during Chelsea’s dramatic 2-1 victory against champions Liverpool before the international break.

Performances have impressed so much so that he finds himself being compared to the dizzying heights of Chelsea legends N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele.

"Makelele and Kante were an inspiration to me," Caicedo recently said of the comparisons.

All three players specialised in breaking up play, winning duels and covering an astonishing amount of ground.

But that still doesn’t quite cut it for Petit, who believes that, while Caicedo’s stock is incrementally rising, there is one key element missing: a Premier League title.

Speaking to Boyle Sports, who offer the latest football betting odds, Petit said: "I can see why Moises Caicedo is being compared to Claude Makelele and N’Golo Kante - but he still has a long way to go.

"I really appreciate what he said in the newspapers because he's been asked the same question.

"You cannot really compare, but I can understand why people, especially Chelsea fans, are trying to compare Caicedo because he's such a huge hit.

"He receives so much love from the crowd, so I can understand that, and he has already achieved a lot of things since arriving.

"Still, I think he needs to win the Premier League and he needs to do something very good things in the Champions League too, because those guys we're talking about, they won so much with Chelsea."

On the other hand, Petit was less complimentary of Liverpool’s new star, Florian Wirtz.

The German was a major component in their monster £449million outlay this summer, joining the Merseyside club from Bayer Leverkusen in a £116million deal.

Liverpool have stumbled out of the blocks this season, losing their last three games in all competitions, with Wirtz failing to set the world alight with his performances.

Since his assist to fellow new arrival Hugo Ekitike in the Community Shield, a game Arne Slot’s side ultimately lost against Crystal Palace, the 22-year-old has failed to register a single goal contribution, leading to widespread criticism.

Even former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admitted the former Leverkusen man “needs to come out of the team”.

Petit has now astonishingly claimed that even Wirtz himself thinks that Liverpool overpaid for his own services.

“The Premier League is a different challenge to the Bundesliga,” the Premier League winner continued.

“Leverkusen often counter-attacked, giving him space to perform. Liverpool dominate opponents, so the tactics are different.

“Florian Wirtz is coming to a new culture and environment with significant pressure. Honestly, I don't believe he's worth the transfer fee, despite the respect I have for him as a player.

“I think some players suffer because of the deals between clubs. If you asked him, he'd probably say he isn't worth that money, but it's the reality. He arrives at Liverpool with this price tag and has to deliver from the first game.

“Can you imagine the pressure? But that's how it is; he has to stand up and meet expectations.

“I understand it will take time for him to adapt his style to the Premier League.

“He's talented, so I believe he will succeed, but he'll need more games and a better understanding with his teammates.”

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