Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo will both play crucial roles when Arsenal take on Chelsea in a thrilling London derby on Sunday – but from very different positions
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
The endless comparisons between Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice are so pointless and tiring. And it begs the question: are you actually watching the game? They play different positions.
It's absolutely ridiculous. It's like comparing Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka. Different players who can take on different roles depending on the occasion. But they are like chalk and cheese. But there is no doubt that we will have more before Sunday's top clash.
Caicedo is, in my opinion, the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League. Yes, he covers the ground like N'Golo Kante used to and can drive forward.
He differs from Martin Zubimendi, the Arsenal midfielder, who almost sits and dictates, allowing Rice and either Eberechi Eze or Martin Odegaard to shoot forward. But Zubimendi plays it differently than Caicedo.
READ MORE: Declan Rice shows his true colors with a gesture to Moises Caicedo before Chelsea vs ArsenalREAD MORE: Arsenal face brutal reality of Liverpool as Arne Slot's side falls apart – 'Shocking'
Caicedo is fantastic. Marauding, powerful and intelligent. He reads the game so well and is a huge force on the pitch. He is a fabulous player.
So much so that even Rice acknowledged it with a typically lovely tribute to Caicedo this week when the Arsenal midfielder was interviewed post-game following their win over Bayern Munich.
Rice said: “I have a lot of respect for Moises Caicedo. I put him in my PFA team of the year last year. I thought he was outstanding. There are so many comparisons but we play different positions.”
He's absolutely right – and he should know it. Rice has developed into a marauding, all-action midfielder at Arsenal. You would call him number 8, but that doesn't do him justice because he's everywhere.
But he is now a much stronger attacking force than Caicedo. Rice loves to dart forward, push into the opponent's penalty area and shoot at goal.
His attacking strengths now outweigh his defensive strengths. Mikel Arteta has worked with Rice, improving him and turning him into one of the best midfielders of his kind in the world.
The duo will compete against each other in very different positions on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
England saw it and found a player in Elliot Anderson to take over as number 6 and let Rice off the leash. If they can agree, the English trio of Rice, Anderson and Jude Bellingham could be the best in the world next summer.
The Arsenal fans sing a song: “Declan Rice – we got him for half the price.” They bought him over two years ago and I think his performance against Bayern was the best I've ever seen in an Arsenal shirt. He was incredible.
Caicedo has reached an amazing level this season. He is so consistent. Then in some games he stands out like a beacon as the best on the pitch, for example this season against Liverpool and Tottenham. It took him some time to settle in but now it looks like a bargain at £115m.
Arsenal opted for Caicedo in January before they signed Rice. Actually, they wanted both. It was neither one nor the other. Could they have afforded them? This could be a question for PSR.
But they could definitely play together. Why? Because they are the best at what they do. But the comparisons have to stop. Because there is no comparison.
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