The Premier League midfield debate is heating up once again, with pundits weighing in on who currently rules the engine room. While recent performances have seen Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and Arsenal’s Declan Rice earn widespread praise, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy insists Manchester City’s Rodri stands head and shoulders above the rest — both in form and pedigree.
Rodri: A Class Apart in Midfield Mastery
Despite Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo earning rave reviews for his recent form — including a long-range stunner against Liverpool — Danny Murphy believes there’s only one player who can truly claim the Premier League’s midfield throne: Rodri.
“Rodri is better than all of them. Levels ahead,” Murphy declared during a talkSPORT appearance. He highlighted the Spaniard’s consistency and dominance over the past few seasons, culminating in the 2024 Ballon d’Or win. “For two or three seasons, Rodri’s level was nothing short of magnificent.”
Signed by Manchester City for approximately £63 million, Rodri has become the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s side, delivering calm, control, and quality in the center of the park.
Caicedo’s Rise Sparks New Debate
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has recently turned heads with back-to-back wonder goals, first against Brentford and then Liverpool. His performance in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over the Reds even prompted Gary Neville to call him the league’s standout midfielder based on current form.
“He’s the best midfield player in the league at this moment in time,” Neville said on Sky Sports, placing Caicedo ahead of Rice, Rodri, and Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch.
However, Murphy pushed back on the growing hype, pointing out that Caicedo’s creative limitations still leave questions about his all-around midfield capabilities.
“A lot of people say he doesn’t create — he’s not going to split a defence open,” Murphy noted. “Gravenberch and Rice can do that a bit more.”
Gravenberch and Rice: Versatile and Valuable
While acknowledging Caicedo’s recent form, Murphy emphasized the impact and versatility of Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Arsenal’s Declan Rice. All three, he said, offer different strengths in midfield.
“Gravenberch, Rice, and Caicedo — those three come to mind straight away,” Murphy said. “They’ve all got a little bit of different attributes. They’re tenacious, strong, and bring quality in their own way.”
Murphy went a step further by suggesting that, as a holding midfielder, Gravenberch might actually edge out Caicedo at this moment, especially considering the Dutchman’s ability to influence play creatively.
Verdict: Rodri Still Sets the Standard
While the debate over current form continues to evolve, Murphy made his stance clear: Rodri remains the Premier League’s gold standard in midfield. Caicedo may be enjoying a hot streak, and Rice continues to be a model of consistency, but when it comes to long-term excellence and impact, Rodri leads the pack.
