Chelsea is in the middle of a transformative period in the club’s history, but that doesn’t mean the club shouldn’t deal with emotions.
The Blues are heading into one of the single most vital transfer windows in recent history. Chelsea is on the cusp of breaking through to the ranks of Europe’s elite clubs at the top of world football. However, precision and discipline are required to get the Blues there and keep them there for the foreseeable future.
Victor Moses is one of the players the club should use emotion over reason in allowing to leave. Moses is on loan at Inter Milan and loving life under Antonio Conte in Italy. Therefore, the Blues should meet Inter in the middle during negotiations, instead of playing hard-ball and holding out over a few million pounds.
Inter is looking to get the deal over the line and secure the Nigerian permanently, but the Italian giants are unwilling to pay the £10 million option to buy. Moses is in the middle of his fifth loan spell in six years, last making a significant contribution in London under his current boss—Conte. Moses hardly had time to get his feet wet in Milan, but it’s safe to say the 29-year-old is happy getting a chance at a club as large as Inter when nearing the age of 30.
The Blues have no use for Moses—who has been a fantastic servant for the club during his eight years on the books. For this reason, his age and his happiness, the Blues should meet Inter in the middle during these negotiations. Moses has earned a spot to play elsewhere, and a few million pounds should not justify Chelsea’s intervention there.
As much as the Blues should use emotions and class when dealing Moses, there are also financial reasons as to why this move makes sense. While Chelsea is unlikely to see the full £10 million in this deal, the club would be hard pressed to find a team willing to pay that amount on the open market. The Nigerian is coming up on 30 and wing-backs are in low demand nowadays. Additionally, Moses has just one-year left on his Chelsea contract following the conclusion of this season. All of these factors combine to result in a relatively minuscule transfer fee.
Chelsea has been known to ruthlessly hold out over small fees, but the club should concede this stand-off. If nothing else, the Blues owe it to Conte—because of the hell they dragged him through following his sacking—and to Moses because of his professionalism.