Pundit calls Chelsea player the best in the world in his role – but still underrates him in one area

Paul Merson has praised Joran Henderson and Moises Caicedo for their showing in the win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Chelsea were back with a bang after the international break, putting five goals past Bournemouth in a strong showing.

Key to it was the midfield, where Moises Caicedo returned from injury to partner Jordan Henderson. The two of them did really well, and after the game pundit Paul Merson was full of praise for them both individually and collectively.

Merson on “best holding midfielder”

“I thought they worked well together, Caicedo and Henderson. Henderson has the experience, and Caicedo, for me, is the best holding midfielder in the world of football. They are the insurance policy.

“Just let the others go and play, you don’t have to bomb on. Different kind of holding midfield player [to Rodri], Rodri ticks it over, Caicedo breaks it up,” Merson said on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday.

As usual, Caicedo’s passing ability is being overlooked. Or rather, he’s so good at breaking up play that it’s taking the attention away from his good work on the ball.

He may not be Rodri, but there haven’t been many Rodris in football history.

Henderson has also had a career where his technical ability has been underrated because of the passion and leadership that pundits tend to focus on.

In other news…

Morgan Rogers has worked out a reason why Chelsea have been so good at scoring early goals this season. His manager doesn’t agree.

Xabi Alonso was also full of praise of Moises Caicedo, who shone on his return to the team.