Carragher makes his choice clear! - Source: Getty
Carragher makes his choice clear! - Source: Getty
Footballer-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher has picked England's best midfielder after comparing Arsenal star Declan Rice and Manchester City's Elliot Anderson. The former Liverpool defender decided to choose Rice, who helped Arsenal lift the Premier League title last season.
Since joining the Gunners back in 2023, Rice has impressed in the Premier League and in Europe. The midfielder played 55 games across all competitions for the north London club last season as they won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final.
Rice joined hands with Anderson during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and guided England to a third-placed finish. Notably, the midfield duo started together in six out of eight games the Three Lions played in the tournament.
Anderson officially completed his £116 million deal to join Manchester City after the World Cup and is now tasked with the duty of beating the Gunners and Rice in the Premier League title race.
Carragher believes Anderson is one of the best midfielders in England. But he admits that Rice will always be on top of the list. The former England international also touched upon how both of them playing together will be a huge boost for the national team in the coming years.
Carragher said on Sky Sports:
“If you’re a Newcastle fan watching Elliot Anderson… they had to sell him but you think now could they have sold someone else and kept him?
“It wasn’t a lot of money that they sold him for and you’re now looking at arguably the best midfield player in the country alongside Declan Rice.
“I would always put Declan Rice on top of that list, certainly at the end of last season when he helped Arsenal win the title.
“It should bode well for England as well going forward, they’ve got two midfielders there who are right at the top of the class in the Premier League.”
Manchester City lead Arsenal in Premier League title race by three points after gameweek six.
Who will Manchester City and Arsenal face next?
The Champions League returns this week, with both Arsenal and Manchester City in action. Mikel Arteta's team will host Lille at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The Gunners will look to add to the win they registered away from home against Napoli in their opening game of the European competition.
City, meanwhile, are in action on Wednesday in a blockbuster encounter. Enzo Maresca and co. will host European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola also set to attend the contest. The Cityzens also won their opening game in the Champions League this season, as they beat Porto away from home.