Since signing for Chelsea in 2012, Victor Moses has been on loan to three different clubs. Now 25 years old, he is back at Stamford Bridge with a point to prove.
Victor Moses scored one goal in five short substitute appearances early in the Premier League season. He added a promising display against Leicester City in the EFL Cup. With the little opportunity he had, Victor Moses did all he could to impress Antonio Conte.
Finally, against Hull City, Moses got his chance to start in the league. In an unfamiliar role, a wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation, the Nigerian winger-by-trade shone.
The flaws in his performance – uncertain defensive positioning, weak tackling and marking – are easily fixed. With patience and commitment – from both the player and his manager – Moses can become a top class wing-back.
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Moses has paid his dues out on loan. He is not alone in that respect (obviously). But unlike many other Chelsea loanees, Victor Moses spent his time away at other Premier League teams: Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham. He saw plenty of game-time, as well, with at least 15 Premier League appearances the past three seasons.
In Marcos Alonso, Chelsea have a player that can play at left wing-back. The Spaniard has experience, perfect hair and excels at crossing. On the right side Chelsea have several options, none as suitable as Moses.
Willian is the club’s best defensive winger. He is also the best attacking complement to Eden Hazard on the left. It would be a waste to force the Brazilian into a more conservative style, even if he is infuriatingly passive at times.
Pedro is lightning in a bottle. Release him as high up the pitch as possible and he will confuse the opposition defence. He is a liability when tracking back though, giving away silly fouls and, well, there’s this:
The third, perhaps more expected, option is Cesar Azpilicueta. He’s a terrific full-back, one of the best at one-on-one defending in the world. As a wing-back, though, he would not pose enough attacking threat. He is a decent crosser and can obviously (?) shoot, but the Spaniard would not win if he was on the offensive side of a take-on.
Moses could become a real two-way player is he rounds out his game. He already has the attacking nous, constantly looking to stand up his defender and dribble past him. He possesses an amazingly forward-thinking mindset. Unlike Willian, for example, Moses always looks to pass or drive towards the opposition goal. His pace allows him to push up the pitch because he knows he can sprint to cover back.
Moses needs Azpilicueta or Kurt Zouma behind him on the right-side of the three centre-backs. Both players have the pace and defensive rigidity to allow him to stride forward and worry slightly less about defending.
Moses is not the complete package as a wing-back yet. But under Antonio Conte’s tutelage the Nigerian could be a sensation.
Next: Diego Costa leading by example for Antonio Conte
Our colleague Ajitesh Rasgotra is convinced Moses will be Chelsea’s Player of the Year. 141 minutes is a small sample size to go by, but if he keeps up this form he has a very real shot at the award.