Chelsea’s Victor Moses must overcome injury, competition to continue ascent

Victor Moses’ nomination for BBC African Footballer of the Year underlines the challenges he faces in his second full year at Chelsea. He has both injury and Davide Zappacosta standing in the way of continuing the progress he started last season.

Victor Moses is one of three Premier League players to be a finalist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award. Moses’ breakthrough season as Chelsea’s right wing-back put him on the shortlist for the second time. For all his success last season, though, he faces a difficult path to reprise that performance and garner similar accolades for 2017/18.

Moses first has to overcome the hamstring injury that has kept him out of the lineup since the October 14 loss to Crystal Palace. He took part in his first outdoor training session last Thursday, but that appears to be a one-on-one session with Chelsea’s physio. He has not yet started training with the team, which essentially rules him out for West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Once he is cleared to play, he may find Davide Zappacosta more difficult to overcome than a grade 3 hamstring tear. Zappacosta has consistently and modestly improved in every appearance for Chelsea since settling in after his striking debut against Qarabag. Zappacosta’s defensive abilities better suit Chelsea’s needs and cover for their weaknesses than Moses’ more offensive-oriented skills would. Zappacosta provides better coverage along the flank to protect Cesar Azpilicueta and the Chelsea defence, while his quick galloping down the sidelines can keep the Blues on the front foot.

Zappacosta has not yet found Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata or Michy Batshuayi in the box. Once Zappacosta can link his passing game with Chelsea’s target men, Victor Moses will have a significant obstacle in his path. Moses’ tendency to hit the first man with his attempted crosses is his biggest liability going forward.

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If Davide Zappacosta locks down the wing-back role, Victor Moses may be able to pay it forward by displacing some of Chelsea’s underperforming wingers. Willian has been far below standards this season, and Pedro has been his usual self. If Antonio Conte decides to stay with the 3-4-3, he may experiment with Victor Moses back in his natural position on the right wing. Based on recent performances and Moses’ success on loan, the Nigerian could hardly do worse than the incumbents.

Victor Moses’ return will give Chelsea the necessary depth at wing-back that the Blues need with the congested domestic schedule of the next six weeks, which runs right into the Champions League knock-out rounds. Even if Davide Zappacosta remains the big game starter on the flank, Victor Moses can still play an essential role as a substitute and backup. Whatever Moses’ deficiencies are as a wing-back, he is still far preferable to Pedro or Cesar Azpilicueta.

Just as importantly, he gives Antonio Conte flexibility in his tactics and lineups. Conte never wants a player to feel that he is undroppable. But that requires Conte to have an adequate replacement looming on the bench. Moses can play that role for the right wingers as well as the right wing-back.

Victor Moses rocketed to prestige and Barcelona transfer rumours in his first season as a wing-back. He was one of Antonio Conte’s many success stories, but at the same time he was part of the makeshift character of the title-winning squad. Antonio Conte has a true, natural wing-back in Davide Zappacosta, one without the defensive liabilities that Moses sometimes evinced last season.

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With two routes back into the squad, Victor Moses can play to his strengths while also continuing his development as a versatile footballer. The sophomore season is often more difficult than the first, but after his years on loan Moses knows how to make himself the man for the occasion.