Moises Caicedo Chelsea claim made as Rio Ferdinand offers Declan Rice comparison

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has waded in on the debate surroundingDeclan Rice and Moises Caicedo regarding which player is better of the two - and he just can't split them.

The ex-Red Devils star has revealed he was desperate for his old club to sign Rice or Caicedo before their high-profile transfers to rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

The footballer-turned pundit star was questioned about which midfielder is performing better at present, with both players excelling for their respective sides.

• Liverpool stance on signing Chelsea star in January after disastrous blow for Enzo Maresca
• Alejandro Garnacho sends Chelsea message and makes Man United feelings clear

Ferdinand said: "It's swings and roundabouts, they have a lot of similarities about their game. I think Declan, if you let him off his leash, he'll give you more going forward.

"But Caicedo, defensively, he smells danger quicker and better. I don't think there's much between them, so I'd be happy with either.

"When they were both on the market, I was screaming for Manchester United to go and buy them because I saw the value in Caicedo."

"I thought Caicedo would've been magnificent for Manchester United, given time, while Declan would've been a ridiculous signing. It's splitting hairs between the two, I'll be honest.

"It depends what position you're going to play them in, if you're playing them as a holding midfielder, I'd probably say Caicedo. As a number eight, then I'd say Declan.

"You let Declan go, [then] he scores more goals than Caicedo all day long and he creates all day long. They'd be a nightmare to play against together."

Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League following their win against West Ham United prior to October's international break, but they have their London rivals Chelsea to thank with Caicedo scoring in the 2-1 win over Liverpool.

That result for the Blues moves them to 11 points, five behind the Gunners after seven top-flight fixtures so far.