Enzo Maresca names three midfielders on par with Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice | Football

Enzo Maresca refused to be drawn into the debate over who is the Premier League’s best midfielder: Moises Caicedo or Declan Rice.

In fact, the Chelsea head coach named several players whom he rates as highly as the duo ahead of the huge clash against Arsenal.

Stamford Bridge is the venue for Sunday’s top of the table match between the London rivals, where the Blues can close the gap to the Gunners to just three points.

There will be many key battles to watch during the game, with some believing the result will be determined by the duel between Caicedo and Rice, arguably the best central midfielders in the league.

But when asked if he agreed with that assessment, Maresca replied: ‘I think the Premier League is full of good players, very good midfielders.

‘As you said, Moises, Declan, Rodri from Manchester City, Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, [Bruno] Guimaraes from Newcastle.

‘I think the Premier League is full of very good midfielders.

‘[The battle between Caicedo and Rice] is a big part but it’s not the only one. I think it’s 11v11, the ones that go on from the bench. The big picture is not just one part of the picture.

While he has endured an injury stricken season, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is still considered one of the finest defensive midfielders in the world, while Guimaraes has consistently delivered since joining the Magpies three years ago.

Anderson is enjoying a breakthrough season at Forest and looks set to start alongside Rice for England at next summer’s World Cup.

Manchester United are keeping tabs on the 23-year-old who is valued at over £100million.

Chelsea will go into the London derby full of confidence having thumped Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, in one of their most impressive performances under Maresca.

A result against Arsenal would prove beyond doubt that they are title contenders but Maresca is not getting carried away just yet.

‘I think it’s too early in any case. If we win, if we don’t win, I think it’s too early [to say we can win the Premier League],’ the Italian added.

‘We are still, end of November, we are still five, six months to go. I think it’s very important when we’re going to be in February, March, where we are, and from there we decide and we see if we can achieve something important.

‘I think for sure it’s different compared to one year ago. It’s because we spent one more year together. We went through moments where we can learn from that moment.

‘Then again, for me it’s very early. We are still at the end of November, December. So it’s very early and it’s important to be where we are now in March, April and then we’ll see.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Mikel Arteta responds to Joshua Kimmich dig at Arsenal after Bayern Munich defeat

MORE: Oliver Glasner praises ‘very intense’ Man Utd star ahead of Crystal Palace clash

MORE: Alan Shearer’s Premier League predictions including Chelsea vs Arsenal