There has been a big debate in English football in recent days over who is the better player – Arsenal star Declan Rice or Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.
The midfielders dominated the transfer window in 2023.
Arsenal splashed £105 million to sign Rice, breaking the British transfer record. Just a few weeks later, Chelsea smashed that record by agreeing a £115 million deal for Caicedo.
But which of the two midfielders is better?
Roy Keane settles the Declan Rice vs Moises Caicedo debate
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are both up there with the best midfielders in Europe.
The two players are among the first names on the team sheets of their respective sides, and they have both produced some exceptional performances.
Recently, after the Blues midfielder scored a stunner to help Chelsea beat Liverpool in the Premier League, Gary Neville claimed that Caicedo is better than Rice.
That has caused a big debate across social media, with Arsenal fans completely disagreeing with the Manchester United legend’s comments.
Now, Roy Keane, who knows more about being a world-class midfielder than Neville ever will, has delivered his verdict.
Responding to Neville on the Stick to Football podcast, the former United skipper said: “I would go with Rice every day of the week.
“He’s just got that package, a little bit extra on all the other parts on Caicedo, I think. I’d go with Rice.”
Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice could’ve been teammates at Arsenal
Chelsea weren’t the only club that had recognised Caicedo as a big talent; many others did as well during his time at Brighton and Hove Albion.
In January 2023, just before the Blues signed the Ecuadorian and Arsenal landed Rice, Mikel Arteta made a move to sign Caicedo.
The Gunners needed a new midfielder, and Caicedo even took to Instagram to try and force through a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Brighton did not allow a move to go through in that window, and Arsenal signed Jorginho from Chelsea in the end.
If Arteta had got his wish in that window, Rice and Caicedo would be teammates now.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
