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 Who is the Best Midfielder in the Premier League?

 English Premier League midfield

The Premier League consistently showcases some of the world's most exceptional footballing talent, and nowhere is this more evident than in the demanding role of central midfield. Recently, football pundits have been effusive in their praise for two particular maestros: Declan Rice of Arsenal and Moises Caicedo of Chelsea. Micah Richards hailed Rice as "one of the best players in world football," while Jamie Redknapp proclaimed Caicedo as "the best of his type in world football.

 Who is the Best Midfielder in the Premier League? 

 Who is the Best Midfielder in the Premier League? 

" Jamie Carragher, not to be outdone, lauded both, stating, "We are currently watching two of the best midfielders in world football, no doubt about it."

While the phrase "world football" might be overused, the sentiment behind these accolades is undeniably accurate. Both Rice and Caicedo consistently deliver exceptional midfield performances week after week, influencing games in profound ways. Their contributions are pivotal to their respective teams' strategies and overall success.

### The Profound Impact of Rice and Caicedo

 

Last Saturday provided a perfect illustration of their distinct yet equally impactful styles. Declan Rice surged into the penalty area, scoring a powerful header against Burnley, demonstrating his growing offensive prowess. Just two hours later, Caicedo dispossessed three Tottenham players in a remarkable six-second sequence, with his third tackle directly leading to a João Pedro goal. These moments encapsulate the essence of their individual brilliance.

 

• Watching Caicedo often evokes comparisons to N'Golo Kanté in his prime.
•  He seemingly glides across the pitch, extinguishing fires and recovering
•  possession with relentless energy. 

His presence is a constant nuisance to opposition attacks. Caicedo's unique ability lies not just in his exemplary positioning but also in his decisive execution when he arrives at the scene, often through a crucial interception or a perfectly timed tackle. This rare quality, as statistics will attest, is almost unparalleled in the Premier League.

 

Indeed, Moises Caicedo leads the Premier League in combined interceptions and tackles. While Elliot Anderson boasts the highest number of ball recoveries, Caicedo's overall defensive metrics paint a picture of a midfield enforcer par excellence. 

The following graphic, showcasing central midfielders with over 700 minutes played in the Premier League, highlights his dominance in this area.

 

**(Imagine a sophisticated data visualization here: a scatter plot with 'Tackles + Interceptions per 90' on the Y-axis and 'Minutes Played' on the X-axis, clearly showing Caicedo at the top right, and other midfielders positioned accordingly.)**

 

### Caicedo: A Relentless Defensive Beast

 

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, after the 2-0 victory over Tottenham, aptly described Caicedo as "a real beast. He's the best in the world in his position... Who is better in that position? He's a monster. He wins every 50-50, every duel, and he's so calm on the ball." This admiration is understandable; when Caicedo is performing at his best, Sánchez knows he has a genuine chance of keeping a clean sheet.

 

1. Caicedo is fundamental to Chelsea's structure, much like Rice is the fulcrum
2.  of Arsenal's current impressive run. However, a direct comparison between
3.  the two isn't entirely straightforward due to their differing roles.

 Caicedo typically occupies the more defensive midfield position for Chelsea, often shielding the backline, while Rice frequently plays alongside another holding midfielder, often Martin Ødegaard, allowing him more freedom to venture forward. 

This distinction is clearly reflected in their statistics. Although Rice contributes significantly defensively, his influence increasingly extends into the attacking half of the pitch.

 

### Rice: Orchestrating Arsenal's Attacks

 

Rice ranks second in the Premier League for progressive carrying distance, trailing only Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson (we'll return to Anderson later). Beyond his powerful runs with the ball, the past 12 months have seen Rice significantly enhance his offensive toolkit.

•  He has developed an astute ability to time his runs into the penalty area
•  without the ball and possesses a superb knack for delivering pinpoint set-
• pieces directly onto Gabriel's head. Just as Caicedo excels defensively, Rice
•  leads all Premier League midfielders in expected assists (xA).

 

Declan Rice tops central midfielders in the Premier League for expected assists, partly due to his danger from set-pieces.

 

**(Imagine another data visualization here: a bar chart showing 'Expected Assists per 90' for central midfielders with over 700 minutes, with Rice at the top, followed by other key players.)**

 

### Notable Absentees from the Comparison

 

Some prominent names are missing from this season's current data due to various factors. Rodri, for instance, has played sparingly over the past year but would undoubtedly be central to any "best midfielder" debate, being the only Premier League player with a Champions League winner's medal and a strong claim for the Ballon d'Or.

 Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have also missed a number of games, thus not accumulating enough minutes to qualify for these specific statistical comparisons, despite both being pivotal to Liverpool's title challenge. Dominik Szoboszlai has also posted impressive numbers, and Liverpool looks a much better side when he plays in midfield rather than as a temporary right-back.

 

### Bruno Fernandes: An Exceptional All-Rounder

 

It's also worth considering other players who enter the discussion for the best midfielder in the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes has adapted well to his deeper role this season, or perhaps he hasn't adapted at all, as he continues to deliver high-risk passes and drive most of Manchester United's attacks (1.31 expected assists, the second-highest among midfielders). 

1. Coupled with his high tally of ball recoveries (61, joint second), Fernandes's
2.  all-around output is exceptional, even if his defensive positioning is
3.  sometimes critiqued.

 

### Anderson: Forest's Phenomenal Dynamo

 

Then there's Anderson, who delivers an extraordinary performance for Nottingham Forest. Earlier this year, Thomas Tuchel didn't hesitate to hand him England's number "six" shirt, telling him, "It's yours," in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

Anderson's statistics are truly astounding, especially considering Forest's struggles near the bottom of the table. He leads all midfielders in the league for progressive carries into the attacking third (121 times) and also tops central midfielders in total ball recoveries (84).

•  This high volume of recoveries is partly a consequence of Forest's 19th-place
•  standing, which necessitates more defensive work, but it also underscores his
•  relentless work rate and defensive impact.

 

### Who is the Best Midfielder in the Premier League Right Now?

 

Undoubtedly, Declan Rice is the more complete player, showcasing both defensive solidity and significant offensive contributions. However, Caicedo might just edge him out due to the sheer volume of balls he wins. No player across Europe's top five leagues has registered a higher number of combined tackles and interceptions, a truly exceptional talent.

 

Caicedo is a tireless destroyer of attacks, but he's also a creator of opportunities in his own right. His interventions frequently spark Chelsea's offensive transitions, often catching opponents off guard when they believe they have possession.

 The team's goal against Sunderland last week served as a prime example: Caicedo won the ball in midfield, passed it to Pedro Neto, who then fed Alejandro Garnacho to score. The 24-year-old has also started adding goal contributions to his game, much like Rodri and Rice, having scored four goals this season. His assist after a successful tackle against Tottenham was perhaps the most emblematic moment of Caicedo's unique style this season.

 

Ultimately, both players possess distinct qualities and fulfill different roles within their teams.

 The ideal scenario for any manager would be to combine their talents: Caicedo as the defensive anchor, Rice driving the ball forward, and Fernandes providing the creative spark, with Anderson capable of blending these three roles to varying degrees. The Premier League is undoubtedly richer for having such a wealth of midfield talent.