Moises Caicedo has grabbed the hair of the God of opportunity

Moises Caicedo was rightfully voted as WAB Brighton Player of the Month for April 2022. The midfielder has taken full advantage of his Seagulls chance and helped Graham Potter get the season back on track.

When we compare the huge and mighty mythological Gods, a winged young man who is naked and bald other than a long lock of hair on his forehead may seem indifferent.

Caerus though was believed to be one of the trickiest divine creatures. He symbolised opportunity and the way in which we have to grab chances when they arrive.

He would run fast and the only way for men to hold onto him was to grab his hair as he passed. Once he had passed or turned his back, then there was no hair hair or clothes to hold onto. The opportunity was gone.

This is how opportunities appear in real life; one has to exploit them without wasting a single moment. Caicedo has grabbed the hair of Caerus and Brighton now have a possible superstar on their hands.

The Ecuadorian has had to patiently wait for Caerus to pass, preparing for it for more than a year. Caicedo signed for Brighton in February 2021, spending time in the development squad and then the first half of the 2021-22 season on loan in Belgium.

When things needed some shaking up following the team’s seven game winless run over February and March, Graham Potter introduced Caicedo to his starting line up at Arsenal.

Caicedo produced a fine display alongside Yves Bissouma and Enock Mwepu in midfield, contributing massively to the Seagulls’ return to winning ways.

His performance, as impressive as it was, was only a glimpse of his talent. Caicedo has shone in every match he has played from that moment.

The fact Brighton have only lost one game since he debuted – against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium – is no coincidence.

So good has he been that Potter said Caicedo must think the Premier League is easy, because the team have been fantastic since he was introduced.

What makes Caicedo special is that he combines so many different aspects of the game in a unique repertoire. He played with the excitement and love of the game you expect from a Latin American child, whilst also thinking like an experience footballer.

Most young players are characterised by fancy and enthusiastic football but show a lack of maturity in their game to do defensive work or make good decisions.

This is not the case for Caicedo. In the blue and white stripes, he has been able to showcase his talents at the same time as having remarkable discipline on the pitch.

Playing a key role in international football for Ecuador at a young age had definitely helped, but the Premier League is the toughest in the world.

That is why it is so crazy that he plays with such confidence and courage, having only six games in England behind him.

Caicedo is bossing the midfield, looking clever and fearless both on the ball and off it. Brighton fans expected him to be good, but he is already so much more than anyone could have initially believed.

His versatility is evident by his perfect balancing of defence and attack. He is very capable of pressing and regaining possession and he also moves the ball forward with real accuracy.

Caicedo can be a threat when he gets close to the opposition box, as Manchester United found out when he beat David De Gea from 25 yards.

He is everywhere on the pitch and he already has an impressive highlight reel; that goal against United, his assist for Mwepu at the Emirates, the perfectly timed block on Kevin De Bruyne and some fancy flicks and quick turns at Wolves. All impressive moments to excite fans.

It is no wonder that Brighton supporters are going crazy about Caicedo. His talent and his world class appearances in an Albion shirt has seen Seagulls fans singing their hearts out about him in their new song.

The words say that Caicedo will win the Ballon d’Or having come from Ecuador. Maybe it is getting carried away to think he could do that?

What Caicedo has done though is beaten Caerus, grabbing his hair at the exact moment he needed. There is no stopping Caicedo now and he will undoubtedly go onto become a top class player for Brighton.

Jason Therios @JasonTherios