Schurrle Arrives, But What Happens to Moses?

Last year, it was the dynamic duo of Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses that kept Wigan in the Premier League. So impressed with his efforts and performances, Chelsea swooped and a long pursuit resulted in Moses moving to London from Wigan for an alleged £7m. But just how has he fared after what could be described as a dream move for many, and also, with the recent arrival at Chelsea of Andre Schürrle, what does the future hold for Moses.
If you’d ever watched Victor Moses at Championship level, you’d have known the kid was special. In a similar way to Wilfried Zaha this season, Moses’ pace and quick dribbling meant he was a handful for the defences across England’s second tier. A few years later, he finds himself at the Europa League Champions surrounded by big names and big wages. Roberto Di Matteo was a big admirer of the Nigerian and it is believed that he was the man who hammered home the idea of signing him to add him the depth of squad he desired. Moses couldn’t save Di Matteo’s job, nor could anyone and he found himself under the unpopular regime of the unpopular “Interim One”. Interestingly, it was the arrival of Rafa Benitez that seemed to kick start Moses’ Chelsea career.
Up until Benitez’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, Moses spent a great deal of time warming the bench along with fellow summer signing Marko Marin. However, uncertain of the defensive capabilities of the Oscar-Mata-Hazard trio, Moses was employed and with positive effect. Moses grew into his Chelsea career as his game time increased. He provided exquisite balance on the wings with Eden Hazard and Chelsea began to look far more secure.
The form continued even when Chelsea’s perhaps didn’t but then the turning point in his season came, AFCON.
Pre AFCON, Moses looked a good addition to the squad but post AFCON, he looked far more Wigan than Chelsea. His form plummeted and never quite reached the heights that he had in the Premier League before AFCON. His only saving grace was his excellent scoring record in the Europa League, a competition which even Torres managed to look world class in. All in all, it’s been an up and down season for the winger, but with age on his side, he should develop into a better player for club and country.
Then comes the question of his future.
Andre Schürrle arrives as an exciting, quick and young winger with international pedigree for £17.5m. This throws Moses’ Chelsea career into to the box of uncertainty. Same position, arguably better, high promise, and for the fee paid, Schürrle doesn’t seem like a signing who will sit on the bench. Moses may well find himself behind Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Oscar, Andre Schürrle and Kevin de Bruyne in the pecking order for next year and that looks bleak. Moses is a player with high potential but will not improve without game time.
Could a departure be on the cards for him? Perhaps, but I don’t see it. Everton have been linked – probably due to Moses’ former manager Roberto Martinez taking the reins at Goodison. Rumoured £10m transfer fee, I’d be tempted as it’s a profit on a possible bit part-player but more than that needs to be considered. I’m sure many of you are aware of the Premier League registration rules. 8 home grown players must be in the squad of 25. A home grown player (HG) qualifies as someone who has spent 3 years training in the UK between the ages of 16-21. Moses qualifies and helps fill these spaces in the registration. Selling him means a British replacement would be needed. I’d say this isn’t wise. Any half decent English player will go for an excessive price and whilst this hasn’t been a problem for Chelsea since 2003, it will be given new Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
All in all, I believe that Moses won’t be sold this summer and has his part to play at Chelsea. With age on his side he stands a chance but up against his colleagues, he will need to press on and improve drastically. Like all Chelsea fans, I am hoping Mourinho can work some magic and help him improve because he could potentially be an important asset for the club. I don’t see him as a starter at Chelsea, more as a rotation option and someone who supplies good depth. He’s decent, but if he thinks he can play for a top club then he must improve. But hey ho, this is just my opinion. Not right, not wrong, just my opinion. One thing is for sure, once that blue shirt is on, I’ll give him my endless support, regardless of how good I think he is.