Paul Merson claims Arsenal have a midfielder who’s miles better than Moises Caicedo

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Arsenal’s Declan Rice is miles better than Chelsea counterpart Moises Caicedo.

That is according to Paul Merson.

Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, who are both defensive midfielders, completed big-money transfers last summer.

Arsenal splashed out £105 million (Sky Sports) to sign Rice from West Ham. Chelsea went even further by paying a British-record fee of £115 million (Sky Sports) to sign Caicedo from Brighton.

Rice, 25, hit the ground running from day one at Arsenal and is dominating in midfield.

For Caicedo, he made a slow start in Chelsea colours. We do think that the 22-year-old is looking a lot more consistent and impressive recently, though.

Merson has ripped into Chelsea’s midfield after the 4-1 loss in midweek to Liverpool, especially Caicedo.

He’s made a slightly odd dig at the Blues player by comparing him to Arsenal and England man Rice.

Merson told Sportskeeda: “Chelsea were terrible against Liverpool and deservedly lost 4-1. They were absolutely all over the place and went to Anfield without a center forward. As for their midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo cost a combined €225 million, so how does one leave them out even if they underperform? Caicedo was signed for €4m by Brighton a few years ago, now suddenly he’s the most expensive player in Premier League history? You can’t improve that much in 2-3 years, it’s impossible.

“You watch Caicedo and compare him to Declan Rice – it’s like chalk and cheese! For that fee, you have to grab games by the scruff of the neck and make your presence felt, and I can’t remember him doing that too many times at Chelsea. The Blues’ midfield was absolutely ripped to shreds against Liverpool and it was embarrassing, to say the least.”

Moises Caicedo will come good at Chelsea

We’ll choose to be optimistic and believe Caicedo will be a success at Chelsea.

There’s no doubt that this massive price tag has done him no favours, nor does the team’s very inconsistent form this season.

Speaking via The Liverpool Echo earlier this week, Joe Cole claimed that Caicedo is getting better.

The young all-action midfielder just needs to find the form he showed at Brighton, where was for formidable in the Premier League.