Jamie Carragher makes another apology to Chelsea after Sky Sports decision

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher apologised to Chelsea supporters after picking his Premier League team of the season so far on Monday Night Football

Jamie Carragher has apologised to Chelsea supporters after leaving Moises Caicedo out of his team of the season so far. Carragher named his most impressive XI of the campaign on Monday Night Football, and Caicedo was a notable omission.

The former Liverpool defender named Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, Granit Xhaka of Sunderland and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as his trio in the middle. Explaining the thinking behind his decision, Carragher said: "Formation wise, we've gone with a standard 4-2-3-1. So I've gone with [Granit] Xhaka and [Declan] Rice in there.

“The other one to put in was [Moises] Caicedo and that was a really tough one. I didn't want to put all three because I think they're almost, not defensive, but I want to put an attacking midfield player in there.

“I've obviously got Bruno Fernandes. I've said I think Rice just has the edge on Caicedo. But I just felt the impact of Xhaka this season is the biggest impact of a signing or effect on a team.

“It feels like he's just so important to Sunderland. So I just felt he had to be in the team. So I apologise to Chelsea fans, as I seem to do a lot! But no, I couldn't find room for Caicedo because of those reasons.

“And also, I had to put Bruno Fernandes in. They're going to miss him, he doesn't miss too many games now he's injured.

“But, I mean, you look at his numbers, I think he's still created the most chances, maybe got the most assists in the Premier League, or certainly very close. He's the outstanding chance creator in the Premier League even playing from a deeper position.”

Arsenal players dominated Carragher's team of the season so far, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice all getting the nod. Robin Roefs, Daniel Munoz, Marc Guehi, Antoine Semenyo, Morgan Rogers and Erling Haaland made up the line-up.

Carragher also revealed why he opted against Reece James at right-back, saying: "I would say the right back position is probably the most difficult

"I was really close to putting Timber in, who I'm a huge fan of. Also, Reece James, he's been outstanding, but he's played a lot of his football in central midfield. But every time I watch this guy, fantastic.

"Part of a really strong defensive unit until the last couple of games that he wasn't part of, I should add. But I think he's got three goals, a couple of assists as well, so I think he's fantastic - Daniel Munoz.

And when asked to name his best three players so far this season, Carragher replied: "Haaland and Rice would be certainly the two that would stand out right away.

“And I think Rogers is sort of just on their coattails. If you're talking about a player of the year or something like that, or the player of the year so far at the halfway point, it'd be a toss up between Rice or Haaland."

In 2022, Carragher apologised to Chelsea supporters after criticising the club's approach to bringing in youth talent. After a backlash to his comments on Monday Night Football, he wrote on X: “Apologies, I got a little emotional.”