Better Than Rice & Caicedo: Paul Scholes Names Best Premier League Midfielder P

Paul Scholes has snubbed Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo when naming the midfielder he believes is the best in the Premier League right now.

The Manchester United legend, 50, is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever midfielders – so he’s in a solid position to judge. However, neither Rice nor Caicedo top Scholes’ list.

Caicedo has earned rave reviews for his performances this season and jumped to second place on GiveMeSport’s list of the world’s 20 best midfielders following his outstanding display in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over champions Liverpool on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Rice has justified his enormous £100 million price tag since joining Arsenal from West Ham in the summer of 2023. The England international will be doing all he can this season to help the Gunners win their first Premier League title since 2004.

Scholes Names His Choice For Best Premier League Midfielder

Paul Scholes

However, Scholes believes another, less heralded, midfielder is currently the best in England’s top division. Despite not scoring a Premier League goal this season, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali has wowed Scholes on the pitch.

On Caicedo, Scholes said on The Overlap: “I still don’t class Moises Caicedo as an all-round midfield player. I know he scored a great goal and was brilliant the other day.

“I got some stick last year after having a go at him and I almost thought about taking that back because he was brilliant in the Club World Cup. I just prefer the controlling type of midfield players who play with a bit more style and can score goals a bit more often than Caicedo.

“It was a brilliant goal against Liverpool but you wouldn’t surprised if he didn’t do that again for another 18 months, would you? He’s one of the best at what he does which is breaking up the play, he’s brilliant at that. But I prefer the other types.”

He continued: “Alexis Mac Allister was absolutely brilliant last season, he controlled a lot of games and I think Liverpool are missing that at the moment. I love Sandro Tonali as well.

“He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point.”

Sandro Tonali

Scholes went on to explain why he believes Tonali is currently better than Rice: “I think he’s better than Rice. I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got everything.

“Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary. He can do everything but I just don’t think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali but they’re both good players.”

Another midfielder Scholes didn’t mention is Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, who was exceptional in Arne Slot’s title-winning side last season. And then there’s 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is trying to rediscover his best form after missing most of Manchester City’s 2024-25 campaign through injury.

However, Scholes has made it clear that’ll, as things stand, it’s Newcastle’s silly Italy international who gets his vote.