MIDFIELD MOUNT RUSHMORE: ENZO MARESCA NAMES RICE-CAICEDO EQUALS
Ahead of the Chelsea vs Arsenal clash, Enzo Maresca refuses to name the best Prem midfielder, mentioning Caicedo, Rice, Rodri, and Elliot Anderson. Preview inside.
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Enzo Maresca wouldn't say whether Moises Caicedo or Declan Rice is the best midfielder in the Premier League.
Before the big game against Arsenal, the Chelsea coach mentioned other players he rates just as highly.
The London rivals will face off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a match where the Blues could cut the Gunners' lead to three points.
Many think the game will come down to the battle between Caicedo and Rice, who some say are the league's top central midfielders.
But when asked if he agreed, Maresca said, "The Premier League has so many good players, really good midfielders."
As you said, there's Moises, Declan, Rodri from Manchester City, Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and 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 everything. It's 11v11, plus the players coming off the bench. It's not just about one part of the game.
Rodri, despite an injury-filled season, is still considered one of the best defensive midfielders around. Guimaraes has been consistent since joining Newcastle three years ago.
Anderson is having a great season at Forest and might start next to Rice for England in next summer’s World Cup.
Manchester United is watching the 23-year-old, who's worth over £100 million.
Chelsea is confident going into the London derby after beating Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday. It was one of their best games under Maresca.
A good result against Arsenal would show they're title contenders, but Maresca isn't getting ahead of himself.
Who is the best midfielder in the Premier League?
I think it's too early to say, no matter what happens. It's still late November, and we have five or six months to go [before we can say we can win the Premier League], the Italian added.
It's important to see where we are in February or March and then decide if we can achieve something big.
For sure, we're different from last year because we've been together longer. We've learned from past experiences.
But again, it's still early. It's still the end of November, December. So we'll see where we are in March and April.
ARSENAL SHOWDOWN: PEDRO NETO ISSUES BOLD TROPHY WARNING AHEAD OF NORTH LONDON DERBY
From Maresca to Rosenior: Explore how Chelsea climbed to 6th and why Pedro Neto is convinced silverware is coming this season.
Pedro Neto isn’t hiding his ambition at Chelsea under new boss Liam Rosenior. The Portuguese winger has set the bar high for himself and the team; he’s convinced they can do something special now that Rosenior’s at the helm. Rosenior’s start at Stamford Bridge has definitely caught people’s attention, and Neto wants to keep that momentum rolling.
When Rosenior landed the job earlier this year, not everyone was on board. Swapping out the well-liked Enzo Maresca for a coach from another BlueCo club got some people talking. But Rosenior has answered his doubters, stringing together some solid results that show he belongs in the Premier League.
Since taking charge in January, Rosenior has led Chelsea through 12 matches. The results? Eight wins, two draws, two losses. He’s also made an impact on players like Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, helping them rediscover their scoring touch.
Right now, Chelsea sits sixth in the table, just three points behind Liverpool and Manchester United. Along with Aston Villa, these four teams are fighting for three Champions League spots. Chelsea still has ground to make up, so they need to keep their strong run going over the final 11 games.
This weekend brings another big test as Chelsea head to north London to face Arsenal. Rosenior’s two defeats so far have both come against Mikel Arteta’s side in the Carabao Cup semi-final, so this Premier League meeting is set to be his toughest challenge yet.
Even with Arsenal looming, Neto isn’t backing down. He wants Chelsea to finish the season on a high note and, with Rosenior, believes they can make it happen. Neto’s even got his eye on picking up some silverware before the summer.
Talking to Chelsea’s media team, Neto spelt out his goals: he’s aiming to improve on last year and push for everything possible with both club and country. “The club aims to win as many trophies as possible,” he said. “We’re still in the FA Cup and the Champions League. The league title’s a bit out of reach, but getting into the Champions League is a must. We know what we want: to win trophies. That’s how we want to end the season.”
Neto’s already tasted success since moving from Wolves, picking up the Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea. That’s why he came to win. But he admits the job isn’t done yet. “I joined this club to win, as we did in my first season. That was incredible. This year, there’s still a long way to go and plenty to fight for. Expectations are high. At a club like Chelsea, that comes with even more responsibility.”
On Sunday, Arsenal will be waiting, riding high after thrashing Tottenham 4-1 last weekend. The Gunners are pushing hard for their first league title since 2004, and Viktor Gyokeres is in great form; he scored against Chelsea in the League Cup and will be looking to add to his tally. It’s a huge test for Rosenior and his squad, but Neto and Chelsea are determined to rise to the challenge.
FRIGHTENING POTENTIAL? WHAT LIAM ROSENIOR REALLY THINKS ABOUT MIKE PENDERS’ FUTURE AT CHELSEA
Chelsea's goalkeeper shock: Get the stats on Penders’ record-breaking distribution and Rosenior’s 2026 starting XI plans
New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior is already eyeing one of his old Strasbourg players as he plans his squad for next season.
Chelsea and Strasbourg have gotten pretty close lately since they’re both part of the BlueCo group. That connection only grew after Rosenior took over at Chelsea this winter, having spent a year and a half in charge of the French side.
It’s common for managers to bring familiar faces with them, and with the tight relationship between the clubs, moving a player from Strasbourg to Chelsea shouldn’t be complicated.
Rosenior’s already made moves; he brought Mamadou Sarr back from his loan at Chelsea during the January transfer window. He’ll also get to work with striker Emanuel Emegha again next season, since that transfer was wrapped up last summer. But now, Rosenior reportedly has his eyes on another Strasbourg player.
Mike Penders stands out at Strasbourg.
French outlet L’Equipe reports that Rosenior is keeping a close watch on goalkeeper Mike Penders.
Penders, just 20, is on loan at Strasbourg from Chelsea. He’s the team’s first-choice keeper and is having a standout season: 33 appearances, 39 goals allowed, and nine clean sheets.
The real change? His distribution. Under Rosenior, Penders has become almost like an extra outfield player. L’Equipe points out that no one in Ligue 1 touches the ball more in open play; he averages 43 touches a match. He also completes more passes than any other goalkeeper, with 31.8 per game. That’s well ahead of Paris FC’s Obed Nkambadio, who’s second with 24.9.
Rosenior’s plan for Penders at Chelsea
Rosenior wants a goalkeeper like Penders at Chelsea. Back at Strasbourg, he didn’t hide his admiration: “He’s 20, he’s two metres tall, he makes superb saves. He’s got authority in the box, and his distribution is exceptional. His potential is almost frightening, but he needs to stay humble.”
With Penders set to return to London when his loan ends this summer, he could well become Chelsea’s new first-choice keeper.
Honestly, it makes sense. Chelsea have been searching for a new goalkeeper for months; they even tried to sign Mike Maignan not long ago. But according to L’Equipe, Rosenior is ready to count on Penders next season.
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