Antonio Conte told Chelsea look like different team with 26-year-old
BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks talks up the influence of Victor Moses on the Chelsea team
Chelsea look a different side with Victor Moses back in the Chelsea team, Garth Crooks says.
The Nigeria international has struggled with injury problems in the 2017-18 season after the wing-back played a key role in Chelsea’s title success last term.
Moses scored two goals and made three assists in 31 appearances in the Premier League last term to establish himself as a regular at Chelsea for the first time in his career.
The African defender returned to Blues line-up over the past few weeks and Chelsea’s upturn in results is no coincidence with the Nigerian back in the team.
Moses delivered a perfect cross for Alvaro Morata to score his 10th Premier League of the season at Stamford Bridge before he won a second-half penalty to allow Eden Hazard to secure Chelsea’s 3-1 win against Newcastle United at the start of December.
The Nigerian full-back was unable to prevent Chelsea from losing 1-0 to London rivals West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.
But former Spurs forwards Crooks lavished praise on Moses for his impact at Stamford Bridge following a return from injury.
“I must say Chelsea look far more comfortable with Victor Moses back in the side,” Crooks told BBC Sport.
“He not only provides them with far more options, but he can be quite lethal in the opposition’s penalty area.
“Of course, it took an Italian coach to work out that Moses had the potential to be one of the most effective wing-backs in the Premier League, leaving all the other coaches Moses has ever worked with looking rather embarrassed.”
Crooks added: “Two seasons ago, this player was being loaned out to club after club with no-one capable of unearthing his real potential. Moses has had remarkable success, having won the Premier League and Europa League at Stamford Bridge.”
Chelsea have won the Premier League titles in two of the past three seasons under Jose Mourinho and then Conte.
The Blues lost 2-1 to London rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley last season.
