Paul Scholes names surprise pick as Premier League's best midfielder - 'Better than Rice'

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholeshas admitted he prefers Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali over Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo. Since his £55million move to St James' Park, Tonali has established himself as one of the Premier League's top midfielders.

The Italy international is now one of Eddie Howe's key players and helped them qualify for the Champions League last season. He played 45 games across all competitions as the Magpies ended their trophy drought to lift the Carabao Cup.

After breaking through the AC Milan academy and moving to the Premier League, Tonaliis now highly thought of as one of the better midfielders in the Premier League. Scholes has admitted he has been impressed with displays, claiming he tops Rice and Caicedo.

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Rice is now regarded as one of the best players in his position in Europe following his £105million move from West Ham to Arsenal. Caicedo, who cost £115m from Brighton in 2023, has recently started to justify his hefty price tag in Enzo Maresca's midfield.

However, Scholeshas insisted Tonali tops the category in the Premier League. Asked who he believes is the top midfielder, he said on : "Right now? That's tough.

"I still don't class Moises Caicedo as an all-round midfield player. I know he scored a great goal and was brilliant the other day.

"I got some stick last year after having a go at him and I almost thought about taking that back because he was brilliant in the Club World Cup. I just prefer the controlling type of midfield players who play with a bit more style and can score goals a bit more often than Caicedo.

"It was a brilliant goal against Liverpool but you wouldn't surprised if he didn't do that again for another 18 months, would you? He's one of the best at what he does which is breaking up the play, he's brilliant at that. But I prefer the other types.

"Alexis Mac Allister was absolutely brilliant last season, he controlled a lot of games and I think Liverpool are missing that at the moment. I love Sandro Tonali as well.

"He's been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point."

Asked if he was saying Tonali is the best midfielder in the league, he added: "Yes, you're going to say Declan Rice but I think he's better than Rice. I really like Rice, don't get me wrong, I think he's got everything.

"Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary. He can do everything but I just don't think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali but they're both good players."

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