MU legend points out a midfielder better than two £100 million stars

Legendary Paul Scholes attracted notice by asserting that Sandro Tonali is more well-rounded and effective than Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, emphasizing that the Newcastle midfielder is the kind of player he admires most.

Paul Scholes recently stirred the English football community by openly declaring his preference for Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali over Declan Rice (Arsenal) and Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), two midfielders widely regarded as among the Premier League’s best central midfielders currently.

Since his move to St James’ Park from AC Milan for £55 million, Tonali has quickly become a key figure in Eddie Howe’s squad. Last season, the Italian star played 45 matches across all competitions, significantly contributing to Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory and their long-awaited qualification for the Champions League.

During the The Overlapshow, Scholes shared:

“I still don’t see Moises Caicedo as a fully complete midfielder. He’s excellent at breaking up play, no doubt, but I prefer players who can control the game, play smoothly, and score more goals. I’m really impressed by Sandro Tonali; he manages the tempo exceptionally well and consistently makes a difference. If I had to choose right now, it would be Tonali.”

When asked if he considers Tonali the best midfielder in the Premier League today, Scholes confirmed:

“Many might say Declan Rice, but in my opinion, Tonali is more all-around. I like Rice; he’s strong and intelligent, but sometimes he holds the ball too long and tries to be a bit too flashy. Tonali is straightforward, efficient, and extremely natural in his style.”

Compared to Declan Rice, who has helped Arsenal compete multiple times for the Premier League title and reached two EURO finals with England, and Caicedo, who is proving his £115 million value at Chelsea, Scholes still rates Tonali higher for his style and influence.

In conclusion, the former Manchester United star emphasized that Tonali’s finesse, ability to control tempo, and effectiveness make him a rare type of midfielder in the Premier League today — a “calm but dangerous” player, embodying the model Scholes himself displayed during his legendary career.