Reading are under a transfer embargo after point deductions, and supporters won’t enjoy hearing the club almost signed a current Chelsea star and future transfer fee record-breaker.
Reading, a financially troubled League One club, turned down the chance to sign £115 million Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo in 2021, at a time when the club’s financial problems were becoming serious.
This week, former Royals manager Veljko Paunovi spoke on X Spaces with The Coaches’ Voice to discuss the enthralling match between Chelsea and Manchester City on Sunday. Paunovi, who is currently in charge of C.D. Guadalajara in Mexico, looked into both sides’ tactics from a manager’s perspective and provided a full analysis of how Mauricio Pochettino was doing at Stamford Bridge.
The most head-turning line from the interview came as the 46-year-old admitted that his former side Reading had been scouting and talking with Caicedo over a move to Berkshire before the midfielder ended up completing a transfer to Brighton
In 2021, Paunović had enjoyed a successful first season at Reading, narrowly missing out on the play-off places. The next season, injuries to Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite combined with the sale of Michael Olise halted progress, with the club hit with a transfer embargo in July 2021 for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
That was the start of financial worries under owner Dai Yongge for the former Premier League side, who were relegated from the Championship last year due to a points deduction. A further penalty as a punishment for more financial mismanagement hasn’t helped their cause this season, with the club sitting at the bottom of League One and in a crisis as they await a takeover.
With the side struggling to pay staff each month, it will hurt Reading fans to hear that the club were close to signing a player who would go on to break the British transfer record two years later. Paunović said: “Tactically talking, I think he [Pochettino] will probably have to find a way to use Jackson more efficiently. When Broja came on, he could play that role with him. I think Jackson needs space, needs service from the flank, and needs good passers. I think they have all that in Gallagher and Palmer.
“I still need to see Caicedo more. For me, Caicedo didn’t show up enough in that game. He’s a player I admire, and with Reading, we were looking at him before he signed with Brighton. I know him very well.
“He’s still not developing into the player Chelsea requires.” I didn’t see him contributing enough in midfield or getting into positions. He still has to develop the function of a box-to-box player.”
Reading’s attempts to sign Caicedo in 2021 were unsuccessful, as Brighton paid £4 million to gain his services from Ecuadorian team Independiente del Valle. Caicedo went on to make 53 appearances for the Seagulls before being transferred to the Blues for £111 million more than he was purchased for.
The 22-year-old has made 13 appearances for Chelsea this term but is yet to hit the highs that come with such a lofty price tag, although he has endured injury niggles.
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