MEGABUCKS signings Ryan Gravenberch and Moises Caicedo are the two midfielders arguably getting the most love in the Premier League this season.
But Jamie Carragher reckons one Scotland star deserves his share of the plaudits.
£34million Liverpool man Gravenberch and £111m Chelsea star Caicedo have widely been viewed as the two best midfielders in the English game this season.
But Reds legend Carragher is convinced there’s someone else who deserves to be getting massive credit.
The Sky Sports pundit has heaped praise on Scotland star Ryan Christie.
He’s been excelling for a Bournemouth side who are enjoying a quite incredible campaign.
The 29-year old, who was a £1.5m signing from Celtic back in 2021, has been outstanding in a brand new role this season.
Having previously played his career as an attacking midfielder, second striker or winger, Cherries boss Andoni Iraola has deployed Christie in a deeper role this season.
And it’s worked a treat.
Christie put in a superb showing as Bournemouth thumped Newcastle 4-1 away from home on Saturday afternoon.
The stunning victory leaves his side 7th in the table, just three points off the top four and in a great position to qualify for Europe.
On Sky’s Monday Night Football, Carragher spent more than THREE MINUTES poring over Christie’s showing against the Toon.
Before he went into his analysis, Sky posted a graphic showing that Christie had the most touches, most tackles, won the most duels and had the most passes into the final third in the game.
Christie’s total of nine tackles in the match was the MOST by a midfielder in a Premier League game this season.
Handing over to Carragher, he said: “Bournemouth’s unbeaten run goes on. How much has it got to do with the unheralded – outside of Bournemouth – Ryan Christie? He’s going to get his flowers from you finally, Jamie!”
Carragher then ran through a series of clips showing Christie’s impact.
He explained: “The reason I was so impressed, not just with RC, with Bournemouth was because you come up against a Newcastle team, a midfield who I think in the last couple of months have looked the best midfield in the Premier League, with Tonali going into that sitting role, Guimaraes, Joelinton.
“We know Bournemouth like to press 4-4-2, so it was really interesting to see how they go about it. It was fantastic, he was right at the heart of it.”
He continued: “We know they like to press and Ryan Christie’s got great energy. But it’s really interesting how they matched Newcastle up to make it a three-v-three. You’ve got Christie, Adams just behind.
“He goes to press, as soon as he goes, Adams jumps and the centre back jumps in to make it 3-v-3. They kept trying to push Newcastle to the left side constantly.”
Carragher then analysed Bournemouth’s second goal, scored by hat-trick hero Justin Kluivert.
But it was Christie’s role in the goal that Carragher wanted to focus on.
He said: “What most teams do is drop a central striker – Kluivert comes onto Tonali, Christie comes onto Guimaraes and we see Adams with Joelinton.
“As soon as Kluivert comes in here, that’s the trigger for Adams to jump. Who wins the ball back? Ryan Christie.
“He wins it and that’s where they go and get the second goal. Kluivert obviously goes and gets the hat-trick but apologies, it’s Ryan Christie’s assist!”
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