“It’s just daft” - Jamie Carragher hits out at Chelsea star who let comparisons into his head in 1-1 draw vs Arsenal

Jamie Carragher hit out at Moises Caicedo for his ‘daft’ tackle on Mikel Merino during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, suggesting that the Ecuadorian allowed comparisons with Declan Rice get into his head.

Caicedo was given his marching orders in the first half of Sunday’s London Derby for his studs-up challenge on Merino. Referee Anthony Taylor initially brandished a yellow card for the tackle, but the punishment was later upgraded to red after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Prior to the match, there were constant comparisons about who the best midfielder in the division is between Rice and Caicedo. The pair have established themselves as top players in the Premier League, having played vital roles in the club’s ascent this season.

Analyzing the game on Sky Sports, Carragher said Caicedo might have taken the discussions too personally, noting that he was really pumped up right from the start of the game.

"He was really pumped up," said Carragher. "I think we saw that right from the start of the game. I think the whole talk this week of Rice vs Caicedo maybe got to him, understandably so. It's a huge game, and he ends up getting himself involved in a challenge. Yes, it's a red card, but it's just daft to get involved in a tackle like that. He doesn't need to.

"He's a brilliant player. He wins the ball back fantastically well, but I think he does have a tendency where he can look clumsy with some of the angles he can come in with, and I'm quite surprised that this is only his first red card.

He continued:

"I remember a challenge in the Carabao Cup final against [Ryan] Gravenberch a couple of years ago as well. It's not because he's a nasty player but that was a case in point really, where he ends up facing his own goal to win a challenge, where basically he's got someone else coming behind him, and he just doesn't need to get involved.

"He's just got to be careful with that. He's a fantastic player, but he definitely needs to learn from that. I'm sure the manager will speak to him if he's come out and said it was a definite red card, and that's really good to hear."

The red card means Chelsea will be without their star man in their next three Premier League games. Elsewhere, Arsenal hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

What Declan Rice said about Moises Ciacedo ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea

Declan Rice was complimentary of Moises Caicedo ahead of Sunday’s London derby, revealing that he had the Chelsea man in his PFA Team of the Year.

“I voted Moises Caicedo in my PFA Team of the Year. It’s gonna be an exciting battle between me and Caicedo. I will be ready,” Rice told CBS Sports after Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Bayern Munich. “I have a lot of respect for Moises. There is so much comparison between us, but we are playing different positions. He’s a full-blown No 6. while I’m more of a box-to-box No 8.”

Caicedo joined Chelsea in 2023 for a then-record fee of £115 million. Similarly, Rice made a big-money move to Arsenal, joining the Gunners for a club-record £105 million in the same year.

So far this season, Caicedo has scored four goals and provided one assist in 18 appearances for Chelsea, while Rice has two goals and six assits in 20 appearances for Arsenal.