Two years ago, Arsenal and Chelsea shattered transfer records to land two of the Premier League’s most wanted midfielders:
- £105m for Declan Rice (now 26)
- £115m for Moisés Caicedo (now 23)
Both deals sparked immediate debate — about price, fit, and long-term value. Now, with two full seasons behind them, we finally have the performances, impact, and silverware (or lack thereof) to ask the big question:
Who’s been the better signing?
You can only pick one midfielder for YOUR team.
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 22, 2025
🏴 Declan Rice
🇪🇨 Moises Caicedo
Who you choosing? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Ew18B7fglr
Declan Rice – £105m to Arsenal
When Arsenal broke the bank to sign Declan Rice from West Ham in 2023, it wasn’t just a statement — it was a shift in ambition. And over two seasons, Rice has done exactly what he was brought in to do: stabilise, energise, and elevate Arsenal’s midfield.
He’s been a model of consistency, starting nearly every game, dominating the centre of the pitch, and bringing a level of control and leadership Arsenal had long been missing. Whether as a single pivot or in a box-to-box role, Rice has delivered top-level performances week in, week out.
There’s no doubt he’s improved the side — Arsenal have been stronger, more organised, and more competitive in big matches since his arrival.
But there’s one thing still missing: silverware.
Despite back-to-back strong seasons, Arsenal have fallen short to Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race and in domestic competitions. For all of Rice’s excellence, the club hasn’t yet been able to turn that progress into trophies.
Moisés Caicedo – £115m to Chelsea
When Chelsea won the race for Moisés Caicedo in the summer of 2023, it was seen as a major coup. But his first season was far from smooth — inconsistent performances, poor form, and the pressure of a record-breaking fee made for a rocky start.
Fast forward one season, and the story has changed.
Caicedo has grown into the player everyone expected him to become — a midfield engine with elite ball-winning ability, improved positioning, and calmness on the ball. His second season saw him become a vital part of Chelsea’s resurgence, playing a key role in their UEFA Conference League triumph, finishing top 4 to secure a Champions League spot and their historic FIFA Club World Cup win.
He may not grab headlines with goals or assists, but tactically and defensively, Caicedo has become undroppable under Chelsea’s current setup. His rise mirrors the club’s — slow, steady, and suddenly successful.
Transfer Fee & Expectations
- Rice: Record Arsenal signing, brought in as a leader & title challenger
- Caicedo: Most expensive British transfer ever, signed under pressure in chaotic Chelsea rebuild
- 📊 Two-Season Premier League Stats Comparison
| Stat | Rice 23/24 | Rice 24/25 | Caicedo 23/24 | Caicedo 24/25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 38 | 35 | 38 | 38 |
| Goals | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Assists | 8 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Tackles | 83 | 53 | 91 | 114 |
| Interceptions | 44 | 25 | 37 | 49 |
| Blocks | 11 | 13 | 25 | 10 |
| Duels Won | 156 | 120 | 196 | 236 |
| Fouls Committed | 34 | 21 | 50 | 70 |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 91% | 90% | 91% | 90% |
What the Stats Tell Us
Attacking Contribution
- Declan Rice clearly offers more going forward:
- 11 goals and 15 assists over two seasons
- Compared to 2 goals and 5 assists for Caicedo
- Rice contributes in advanced areas, especially in Arteta’s more possession-dominant system.
DECLAN RICE WITH A MOMENT OF MAGIC 🪄
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
An excellent free kick from the Arsenal midfielder see's the host go in front#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/Vopmz8aCUZ
Defensive Work
- Caicedo offers more defensively:
- 205 tackles vs Rice’s 136
- 432 duels won vs Rice’s 276
- Shows how vital he is in breaking up play and winning the ball back for Chelsea
We still have more 7 yrs of watching Moises Caicedo play for Chelsea football club. He's just too good. Best midfielder in the world pic.twitter.com/giW8kozRQ3
— CFCDatro (@CFCDatro) July 17, 2025
Positioning & Discipline
- Caicedo commits far more fouls (120 vs 55), likely due to his more aggressive role in a less structured midfield early on.
- Rice intercepts more frequently per tackle, suggesting better reading of the game, while Caicedo’s game is more about pressure and physicality.
Passing & Control
- Both are excellent passers, with consistent 90–91% pass accuracy across both seasons.
- Rice slightly edges it in composure and control, especially when playing under pressure.
Tactical Roles
- Rice: Defensive anchor turned all-rounder under Arteta, key in Arsenal's title pushes
- Caicedo: More of a destroyer, sat deepest in Chelsea’s midfield — but had less stability and struggled at times early on
Impact on Club Success
- Rice: Integral in title challenges, however only trophy win is the FA Community Shield in 2023.
- Caicedo: Improved in Year 2, and has won two major trophies already, the UEFA Conference League & FIFA Club World Cup.
Declan Rice v Moises Caicedo last season pic.twitter.com/8BVIK3PoCp
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) July 22, 2025
Leadership, Presence & Adaptability
- Rice: Vice captain, vocal, reliable — fit in instantly
- Caicedo: Took longer to settle but has grown into his role — now more tactically disciplined
Fan & Media Perception
- Rice: Often praised as “worth every penny”
- Caicedo: Went from “overhyped” to “underrated” after bounce-back second season
Verdict
Rice has delivered consistency, leadership, and performances that matched the price tag from day one.
Caicedo had a rocky first season but showed massive improvement in Year 2 — his best may still be ahead.
