Stevie Nicol says he wants Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United and he would take him ahead of Moises Caicedo.
The midfield duo are expected to make big money moves during the 2023 summer transfer window, after great success at their respective clubs this term.
Declan Rice captained David Moyes’ West Ham United to their first major trophy – Europa Conference League – in 43 years and Nicol thinks the 24-year-old is ‘not a guy that gets the credit he deserves’, as he told ESPN.
On the other hand, Moises Caicedo helped Brighton secure a top-six finish this term, and for the first time in their history, secure a European finish.
His stock was already at high levels, especially with Arsenal trying to sign him, and it’s only going to inflate the transfer fee on his head even more.
Nonetheless, when discussing Rice’s future, Nicol admitted that he would love the England international on Merseyside and he would take him over Caicedo.
“I would like him (Rice) in my team (Liverpool),” said Nicol. “He is one of those guys that, on the face of it, from a neutrals point of view, he’s not fancy, he’s not exciting and he’s not a guy who I think gets the credit that he deserves.
“But the ten guys standing next to him on the field, every single one of them will tell you how important he is and how good he is. I actually think he can get better. Going forward, he can score more goals.
“I think the fact that he has been at West Ham has meant that he has had to be that rock right in the middle of the park that starts things, stops things and gets the ball to the front guys. I still think there is more to his game than we have seen. He’s only 24. I want him in my team.
On Caicedo or Rice: “If you have the money, then you sign Declan Rice. If I am picking the team tomorrow, then I am picking Declan Rice before Caicedo.”
Who would suit Liverpool better Caicedo or Rice?
The key thing to be noted here is that they are both defensive-minded midfielders, with Rice having that added ability to drive forward with the ball if need be.
They both play with aggression, outstanding defensive reading of the game and reliability in front of their back four – Owen Hargreaves thinks Rice is a ‘diamond’ and worth ‘£100 million’.
If it comes to signing either, then Rice probably wins the battle because he can provide that extra going forward, although, you wouldn’t pay extra for him in comparison to Caicedo.
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