Jamie Carragher has offered an apology to Chelsea fans after excluding Moises Caicedo from his team of the season thus far. On Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool defender revealed his standout XI of the campaign, with Caicedo being a conspicuous absence. Carragher selected Declan Rice, Granit Xhaka and Bruno Fernandes as his midfield trio.
Explaining his rationale, Carragher stated: "Formation wise, we've gone with a standard 4-2-3-1. So I've gone with Xhaka and Rice in there. 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 want to put an attacking midfield player in there.
"I've obviously got Bruno Fernandes. I've said I think Rice just has the edge on Caicedo. But I just felt the impact of Xhaka this season is the biggest impact of a signing or effect on a team.
"It feels like he's just so important to Sunderland. So I just felt he had to be in the team. So I apologise to Chelsea fans, as I seem to do a lot! But no, I couldn't find room for Caicedo because of those reasons.
"And also, I had to put Bruno Fernandes in. They're going to miss him, he doesn't miss too many games now he's injured.
"But, I mean, you look at his numbers, I think he's still created the most chances, maybe got the most assists in the Premier League, or certainly very close.
"He's the outstanding chance creator in the Premier League even playing from a deeper position."
Carragher also explained why he didn't select Reece James at right-back, stating: "I would say the right back position is probably the most difficult.
"I was really close to putting [Jurrien] Timber in, who I'm a huge fan of. Also, Reece James, he's been outstanding, but he's played a lot of his football in central midfield. But every time I watch this guy, fantastic.
"Part of a really strong defensive unit until the last couple of games that he wasn't part of, I should add. But I think he's got three goals, a couple of assists as well, so I think he's fantastic - Daniel Munoz."
And when asked to identify his top three players so far this campaign, Carragher responded: "Haaland and Rice would be certainly the two that would stand out right away, and I think Rogers is sort of just on their coat tails."