Chelsea star Moises Caicedo has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this term.
In fact, when Gary Neville discussed Caicedo back in October, the former Manchester United defender claimed that the 24-year-old is the best Premier League midfielder outright.
That is clearly not a sentiment that Jamie Carragher shares, though, with the Liverpool legend omitting Caicedo from his Team of the Season so far.
What does Moises Caicedo need to do to enter the Kante conversation?
Or is it a bridge too far?
N'Golo Kante with PL trophy for Chelsea
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
He explained his decision following Monday night’s Premier League clash between Chelsea’s west London rivals Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher suggests Declan Rice and Granit Xhaka have made more of an impact than Moises Caicedo
Carragher has always preferred Declan Rice over Caicedo, while the retired England international has been really impressed with the impact that Granit Xhaka has made at Sunderland this season.
As a result, Carragher decided to exclude Caicedo from his Premier League Team of the Season so far.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he explained: “The other one to put in was Caicedo and that was a really tough one. I didn’t want to put all three because I think they’re almost, not defensive, but I wanted to put an attacking midfield player in there, I’ve obviously got Bruno Fernandes.
“I’ve said I think Declan Rice just has the edge on Caicedo. I just felt the impact of Xhaka this season, he’s had the biggest impact of a signing or effect on a team, he’s so important to Sunderland, he had to be in the team. So I apologise to Chelsea fans, which I seem to do a lot, but I couldn’t find room for Caicedo.”
Romeo Lavia’s injury record could force Chelsea to sign a new midfielder in 2026. Who would you buy if Kobbie Mainoo isn’t available?
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have both been mentioned 👀
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia preparing a pass and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo jogging
Credit: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport/Catherine Ivill – AMA via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Despite impressing in the left-back position in the current campaign, Marc Cucurella was also snubbed by Carragher. Instead, the pundit went with another Arsenal star, Riccardo Calafiori.
Cucurella and Caicedo have been two of Chelsea’s best performers this term, so Enzo Maresca will still be pleased with their contributions.
Moises Caicedo of Chelsea plays during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Moises Caicedo should be in Team of the Season so far
For as good as Rice and Xhaka have been, Carragher should have found room for Caicedo. He has been just as impactful as the Arsenal and Sunderland midfielders.
According to WhoScored, the Ecuadorian is making 2.8 tackles per game in the Premier League, which is the highest average in Chelsea’s squad.
He has also managed to chip in with a few goals, including a screamer against Liverpool.
It is hard to argue that Rice and Xhaka have been better than Caicedo, and if they have, it is only by a very small margin. Outside of Chelsea, it still feels like Caicedo does not get the credit that he deserves.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox