Paul Scholes knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a top central midfielder in the Premier League.
Indeed, Paul Scholes was an all-time great for Manchester United during his heyday, and, quite simply, they don’t make many midfielders like this anymore.
Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes has been discussing the role of a midfielder today, and he’s made an interesting point about one Chelsea player.
Scholes was discussing Roy Keane and the impact he used to make at Manchester United, before noting how he believes Moises Caicedo doesn’t do anywhere near as much at Chelsea despite all of the praise he receives.
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Paul Scholes suggests Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo is overrated
Scholes spoke about his former teammate, Roy Keane, and how impactful he used to be.
The pundit says central midfield players should be able to do everything in the middle of the park, noting that he doesn’t think Caicedo is necessarily much use in terms of controlling a game or creating chances.
“He’d do everything, he’d overlap his winger both sides, he’d sprint forward, he sprinted back, he’d led the team, almost in a Bryan Robson type of way, really. This is why I hate all this, me, he’s a number eight, he’s a number six. Gets on my nerves, especially as a central midfield player, he should be able to do everything,” Scholes said.
“I think a lot of people talk about Caicedo, aren’t they? He’s played 38 games, brilliant, what an achievement.
“Yeah, but was he much quality? Did he create a lot? Did he control loads of games for Chelsea? I don’t remember that. I think there’s an era now of midfield players, especially where you can go through seasons and games without really contributing a lot, do you know what I mean?”
Moises Caicedo stats this season
Moises Caicedo has been very good this season, there’s no doubt about that. In fact, he’s been one of Chelsea’s best players.
However, Scholes’ point here does add up under scrutiny.
Scholes has an issue with the fact that Caicedo isn’t an all-rounder in the same way a Roy Keane or a Bryan Robson was, and that reflects in the stats.
Moises Caicedo stats this season
Goals 1
Assists 2
Key passes per game 0.8
Shots per game 0.5
Tackles per game 3
Interceptions per game 1.3
It’s easy to see where Caicedo excels, he’s incredible defensively and he knows how to break up play.
However, in the attacking third, he’s not all that effective.
One goal and two assists this season isn’t a fantastic return, while his shots per game and key passes per game metrics aren’t ideal either.
Of course, midfield players aren’t what they used to be in that there are defined roles for each player to operate in rather than just being all-rounders in the middle of the park.
However, pundits of Scholes’ generation expect midfielders to do everything, and anyone who doesn’t tick those boxes are seen as not doing enough or being overrated.