According to the Sun, Chelsea’s out of favour Nigerian star Victor Moses is set to complete a £12million deal in January with Fulham and Crystal Palace both interested in securing the services of the winger.
The 27-year-old, who announced his international retirement after playing every minute of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has made only a couple of substitute appearances in the Premier League under new manager Maurizio Sarri. He hasn’t had much luck in the Europa League either, with his involvement being limited to only a couple of substitute appearances.
Moses has established himself as a seasoned campaigner in the Premier League, having played for Wigan Athletic, Stoke City, West Ham and Chelsea over the course of ten seasons in the top-flight on English football. He was a regular for Chelsea under former manager Antonio Conte, making a total of 62 appearances in the Premier League in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
Maurizio Sarri’s free-flowing possession-based ‘Sarri Ball’ philosophy which demands tactical awareness as well as high level of technical ability from the players, has relegated Moses to bench duty at Stamford Bridge. With Chelsea playing a 4-3-3 formation, the Nigerian has faced stiff competition from the likes of Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian for a spot in the team.
Still only 27, the hugely experienced and versatile Nigerian has plenty to offer at the highest level and he would be an ideal signing for both the London clubs in question. However, Crystal Palace should try to overpower Fulham and have the final say in this transfer saga.
Both Fulham and Palace have endured a torrid start to their Premier League campaign. While Fulham have struggled to keep pace with the standards of the Premier League and currently languish right at the bottom of the table, the Eagles sit 16th in the standings, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
Quite clearly, Fulham and Palace have plenty of work to do if they are to have any chances of avoiding the drop this season and a bolstering the squad with a seasoned campaigner like Victor Moses can definitely boost their chances of survival.
The 27-year-old has played in multiple positions over the course of his long and distinguished career in the Premier League. Essentially a right-winger by trade, Moses has been used as a right wing-back and also as a wide forward in a 4-3-3 formation.
His technical game is not of the highest quality but he makes up for it with his pace, tenacity and hard-working nature. Known for his style of direct football, Moses is adept at outpacing the defenders down the flanks with his blistering pace and instant acceleration.
He is also a fairly good crosser of the ball and can create chances with his deliveries from the wide areas. Although he hasn’t crossed the 10-goal mark in any of his seasons in the Premier League, Moses has the ability to chip in with valuable goals and assists. Furthermore, he is a utility player who always shows a lot of commitment on the pitch, tracking back from an advanced position to cut out the attacks.
Crystal Palace have struggled for goals this term, having scored only 13 goals from 16 games. The long-term knee injury to Christian Benteke and failure of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend to deliver the goods on a regular basis has put the Eagles on the brink of relegation. Swansea loanee Jordan Ayew and Alexander Sorloth haven’t added much substance to the attack either. In other words, they need someone to add that much-needed impetus to the attack from the wide areas.
That said, Victor Moses definitely fits the bill at Selhurst Park and the Eagles should go all out of land him in January.