BBC presenter and England legend Gary Lineker claims that Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has proven that he is better than Chelsea pair Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

All three players have been signed for fees in excess of £100m over the past fifteen months but Rice was in the side that thrashed Caicedo and Fernandez’s Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday night. Speaking about Rice, Lineker said:

“He is probably the best of the three £100 million central midfielders.”

Rice has had a very impressive first season at the Emirates. There were some who questioned the £105m club record fee that the Gunners paid West Ham for the player. However, his performances this campaign have more than justified the price tag.

Rice’s season in numbers

The England international has scored 6 goals and provided 7 assists in 34 league appearances this campaign. He has played 2871 minutes, having not missed a single fixture due to injury.

Rice has completed 88.5% of his passes, and made 7.93 progressive passes per 90 (which puts him in the top 7% of midfielders across Europe’s top 5 leagues). He has also produced 2.17 progressive carries per 90, as well as making 1.35 interceptions per 90. He is very much an all-rounder who can perform in any role given to him by manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal are expected to sign a partner for him this summer

With Jorginho’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, and Thomas Partey reaching the final twelve months of his contract, it is expected that the Gunners will go into the market for another central midfield player when the transfer window reopens.

It is believed that Mikel Arteta’s side are weighing up moves for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. Both have release clauses in their contracts so, as long as Arsenal can come up with the funds, Rice could have a new midfield partner next campaign.