Declan Rice harbors deep respect for Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, a rivalry forged over years of facing off in the Premier League. Their battles began when Caicedo was at Brighton and Rice was anchoring West Ham’s midfield, a period where Rice consistently recognized Caicedo’s talent.
Last year, Rice demonstrably acknowledged Caicedo’s brilliance by including him in his PFA Team of the Year selection. He observed Caicedo’s exceptional form continued into the current season, making their upcoming clash a particularly compelling matchup.
While comparisons are inevitable, Rice points out a fundamental difference in their roles. Caicedo operates primarily as a defensive-minded number six, while Rice thrives as a more dynamic, box-to-box number eight, influencing play across the pitch.
Rice acknowledges the esteem in which he holds Caicedo, placing him in a category alongside legendary midfielders like Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira. He anticipates a fierce, yet respectful, contest, one he’s fully prepared to embrace.
Both players arrived at their current clubs for substantial fees during the same transfer window last year – Rice to Arsenal for £105 million and Caicedo to Chelsea for £115 million. The investment reflects the high expectations placed upon their abilities.
However, despite their world-class status, some believe neither Rice nor Caicedo has yet reached the consistent peak performance of Manchester City’s Rodri. This assessment comes from experienced observers of the game, analyzing their impact on their respective teams.
Jody Morris, speaking recently, lauded both Rice and Caicedo as “world class” but highlighted Rodri’s exceptional form, particularly during his Ballon d’Or-winning season, as the benchmark. Rodri’s influence, even accounting for recent injury setbacks, remains a standard to strive for.
Morris suggests Rice possesses a greater attacking threat than Rodri, and that limiting Rice to a purely defensive role might diminish his overall contribution. He excels when given the freedom to roam and impact the game in multiple phases.
Beyond Rice and Caicedo, Morris also singled out Ryan Gravenberch for his outstanding performances last season, arguing he deserved inclusion in the Team of the Year. While Gravenberch’s form has dipped this season, his previous impact was undeniable.
Ultimately, Morris identifies these three midfielders – Rodri, Rice, and Caicedo – as the most influential performers in the previous season, showcasing the depth of talent and competition within the Premier League’s midfield ranks.
