{"id":4715,"date":"2026-09-15T09:38:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T09:38:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4715"},"modified":"2026-09-15T09:38:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T09:38:41","slug":"chelsea-told-they-have-a-version-of-declan-rice-but-xabi-alonso-has-only-used-him-once","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4715","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea told they have a version of Declan Rice, but Xabi Alonso has only used him once"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Declan Rice is up there with the most influential midfielders in the Premier League, but Chelsea have been told that they have their own version \u2013 even if Xabi Alonso has hardly used him yet.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are plenty of impactful midfielders in the Premier League, in the context of their own sides. Rice<\/a> is crucial to the way Arsenal play, the way they defend and attack, and that makes him one of the best.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n

It\u2019s time to talk about our midfield situation\u2026 who\u2019s getting your vote?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"Split<\/div>
Credit: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

He is the driving force in Mikel Arteta\u2019s side, a leader and a goal threat, but also a player who does the dirty work. Ask Arsenal fans which player they would least likely want to lose to injury, and it is Rice.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Chelsea<\/a> are really lacking in midfield. Reece James and Romeo Lavia struggled to dominate against Hull, with Enzo Fernandez sold and Chelsea unable to replace him in the window.<\/p>\n

John Obi Mikel believes Chelsea do have their own Declan Rice<\/h2>\n

On Monday evening, it was reported that Jordan Henderson was back in training<\/a>, but Moises Caicedo<\/a> was nowhere to be seen. The Ecuadorian has only played once this season, and it lasted just 14 minutes.<\/p>\n

\n
\"74th<\/div>
Photo by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak \u2013 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The midfielder has been struggling with a calf issue. During the win against his old side Brighton, Caicedo was subbed on, but 14 minutes later, he had to be replaced by Valentin Barco. John Obi Mikel<\/a> had his say.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are missing Moises Caicedo. I said it from the start. When we get Moises Caicedo back, I think we will be a much much solid team. He is that guy that breaks up play,\u201d Mikel said on his Obi One podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s that guy that makes sure that our back four is well protected. Our back four is solid. We know what Moises Caicedo can give us. We know what he brings to the team. That energy that he brings,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe breaks up plays, sets up plays, drives the ball forward; what Declan Rice is doing for Arsenal. That\u2019s what Caicedo brings. An absolutely huge miss for us. When he comes back, we\u2019ll be a much better team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\"Mois\u00e9s<\/div>
Photo by Robin Jones\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chelsea might have to wait until after the international break<\/h2>\n

It might be almost a month until Chelsea see Caicedo again. The Blues travel across West London on Friday night to take on Brentford, but with Caicedo not in training on Monday, the midfielder is a doubt.<\/p>\n

Given the nature of the injury, Alonso will be cautious in bringing him back. Especially after he broke down against Brighton after coming on. With one game left before the break, Caicedo may miss out.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

DISCUSS: It\u2019s time for Xabi Alonso to start Valentin Barco\u2026<\/h3>\n

The stats simply DO NOT lie \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"A<\/div>
Credit: Photo by Chelsea FC\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images\/Photo by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

With Henderson looking as though he will be available to play against his old team on Friday and make his Chelsea debut, it might be that the Blues do not risk Caicedo and give him the break to recover.<\/p>\n

Of course, that also hinges on whether Ecuador call Caicedo up to the National Team in the break. But it might not be until October 10 before Chelsea see Caicedo again, when the Blues host Bournemouth.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/svg><\/p>\n
Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n

Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n