If events had turned out differently, Declan Rice could have been playing alongside Moises Caicedo for Chelsea. Rice was with Chelsea's academy before being released as a 14-year-old. He then came through the ranks at West Ham United.
Rice was a key player for West Ham and helped them to win the Europa Conference League. His form in a Hammers shirt meant that Arsenal paid £105 million for his services. He was even linked with a return to Chelsea before the Gunners secured him.
It is a classic case of Chelsea not spotting young talent early. The club has always favored signing big names ahead of its own young players. Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah were both on Chelsea's books before becoming legends at Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively. The Blues do not always get it wrong, as John Terry and now Reece James are two of their academy graduates who have gone on to captain the side.
Rice appears to be a student of the game and keeps an eye on Chelsea. He told CBS, which has been quoted by Fabrizio Romano: "I voted Moisés Caicedo in my PFA Team of the Year. It’s gonna be an exciting battle between me and Caicedo, I will be ready! I have a lot of respect for Moises. There is so much comparison between us, but we are playing different positions."
Declan Rice could come back to haunt Chelsea this weekend
In last season's PFA Team of the Year, Caicedo was left out, but Rice was included. The Arsenal man was included in a midfield three alongside the Liverpool pair of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
Caicedo has since made the defensive midfield position his own. It used to be named the 'Makélélé role' after the former Chelsea and Real Madrid star Claude Makélélé. However, even Makélélé believes it should be known as the 'Caicedo role.'
Rice is more of a central midfielder than a defensive one, so he is right to differentiate himself from the Chelsea player. However, it will still be a battle this Sunday when Arsenal travels to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.
Many believe that the Premier League title is Arsenal's to lose as they are six points ahead of Chelsea. However, the Blues are dark horses this season, and if they can make use of their home advantage this weekend, then they could get a statement victory.