Chelsea’s second chance saloon: This season’s Victor Moses resurgence

Victor Moses famously came in from the cold under Antonio Conte to become a Chelsea starter. Who could have a similar story under new management?

Whenever a new manager comes in, there is always a chance that some players previously out in the cold will be brought back into the fold. It is far more surprising when it happens after they have been on loan for several less than outstanding seasons. But that is exactly what happened with Victor Moses under Antonio Conte.

Moses was a promising young winger at Crystal Palace and had a solid enough debut season at Chelsea. But when Jose Mourinho came in, there was no longer a place for the Nigerian. He was loaned out, first to Liverpool, then Stoke and finally West Ham. He failed to excel at any of the three. But when Conte switched Chelsea to a 3-4-3, Moses was a man reborn.

With Frank Lampard due any time now, it might be worth pondering what other players Chelsea has that might suddenly find a new life at Chelsea. Especially with the transfer ban, the Blues will need to be creative in their team building. Could this be the chance for some players that seem very much on the outs?

There are a few younger players who have put time into the loan army that were previously marked as “the next big thing”. Izzy Brown, Lewis Baker, and Charly Musonda were all hyped as future Chelsea stars at one point or another. But injuries robbed Brown and Musonda of a lot of time now. Lack of playing time has robbed Baker and Musonda of development as well. But like Moses, could they find new life under new management?

Baker, for his part, was as big as Ruben Loftus-Cheek once upon a time. Coming out of Vitesse, he seemed ready to break into the first team. But he has now spent two seasons barely playing and is already 24. Even still, he could be a late bloomer and under the right set up might be able to showcase his previous potential once again.

There are also others in the loan army that are much less likely but believe in the opportunity Lampard brings. Matt Miazga, for instance, believes he is ready for a preseason chance. That would be wild after his years away but stranger things have happened.

There are also players at the club currently who will try to take a chance under Lampard. Danny Drinkwater is a bit of a punchline after barely playing all season as Maurizio Sarri pretended he did not exist, but could he be due for a return under Lampard? He will not be going anywhere else given his wage demands so it is entirely possible.

The path to minutes at Chelsea is about to be clearer than it has been in years. Every player is worth a second look to see if they are actually a diamond in the rough. Lampard will give them the time in preseason to showcase their ability. This is the season of second chances for those able to take it like Moses did under Conte.