Nigeria's Victor Moses slipping under the radar?
The former Nigerian international announced retirement from international football during the commencement of the 2018/19 Premier League season. The decision was quite a shock given the forward’s age, but he did make it clear that he was now setting his sights on the club career.
Victor Moses of Chelsea is challenged by Alberto Moreno of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on September 26, 2018 in Liverpool, England.
(Sept. 25, 2018 - Source: Getty Images Europe)
The 27-year-old Chelsea forward had finally become a regular at the London club under Antonio Conte after he had been on too many loans since arriving from Wigan Athletic. Going in around numerous premier league clubs in Stoke City, Liverpool and West Ham United must have been not so pleasant for the young forward desperate to make a mark on one of the biggest soccer stages in the world. Conte’s Chelsea formation made room for Victor, deploying him on the right wing back position of a 3-4-3 formation. He excelled. He even helped the Blues to the 2016/17 EPL title and 2017/18 FA cup triumph with his above board overlapping runs and tracking back to provide defensive cover for the likes of Christensen and Gary Cahill. Now, Maurizio Sarri became the club’s new manager beginning the current season and employed a football style and formation that has Moses getting his favorite forward position back. There is only one problem.
Victor Moses of Nigeria celebrates scoring his sides opening goal to make the score 1-1 during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
(June 25, 2018 - Source: Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images Europe
The former Super Eagles forward who won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title with his nation and represented it at both the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World cups, has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea. Moses has to compete with Eden Hazard, Willian, Pedro and teenage sensation Callum Hudson Odoi on the wide forward positions. He has just made 2 substitute appearances for the Blues so far in the 2018/19 premier league campaign. He was also missing in Chelsea’s matchday squad for the 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
What will be for the 27-year-old’s career? After retiring from international duty and seemingly falling out of favor at Chelsea, how often are we going to hear of him especially after being so used to seeing his name in the news for quite some time now - for either club or country. Is he slipping under the radar? With such a wonderful career he has had, a move to China or the MLS who are looking for household names to build up their soccer community cannot be completely out of question. We may see it, sooner rather than later. His compatriot, Odion Ighalo did it, will he?
I for one believe he still has more to give to the biggest of clubs in Europe. Keeping my fingers crossed that he will unleash the Super Eagle in him.