Only last Friday I wrote about Victor Moses and his changing status at
Chelsea . The additions of Samuel Eto’o , Willian and Andre Schurrle, added
to the returning Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne, not to mention the
continued presence of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Juan Mata left Moses with
little in the way of a tangible role for Jose Mourinho’s Blues.
I expressed concern that, in signing Eto’o, Chelsea were celebrating Africa’s
past at the expense of its future. In my closing paragraph I recommended
that Moses waste little time in heading to Mourinho’s office to demand a
move to “pastures new”.
The intervening three days between then and now couldn’t have gone much
better for the young Nigerian. Yesterday he was spotted at Anfield, sitting
amidst other new recruits, and today his switch to Merseyside has been
confirmed.
The move is not a permanent one, and a year-long loan deal gives the
young Nigerian the opportunity to enjoy a year of Premier League action in
the knowledge that his bridges are not burned at Chelsea.
Indeed, some of Mourinho’s assembly of rich attacking and creative talents
are likely to fall by the wayside over the coming 12 months.
Mata, for example, is still to receive the glowing commendation of his new
boss, Eto’o and Frank Lampard, for all their prestige and prodigious
abilities, are heading towards their career finales, while Demba Ba and
Fernando Torres are unlikely to enjoy long and prosperous futures at
Stamford Bridge.
There is no reason why Moses cannot impress at Liverpool, and thrive
enough to earn himself an extended existence in West London.
I, for one, anticipate a big year ahead for the 22-year-old winger.
Moses celebrates Europa League glory with Chelsea
Liverpool, following years of malaise and ugly—if unfortunate—publicity,
appear to be a team on the up.
That isn’t a naïve comment born from an overestimation of their
impressive early season start (the Reds currently sit atop the Premier
League and remain the only side to retain a 100% record), nor is it a
starry-eyed assessment following their comfortable home victory over
fierce rivals Manchester United.
Young manager Brendan Rodgers has seen his stock rise this summer
following some astute and canny responses to the antagonistic Luis Suarez,
he is building a versatile and exciting squad, and enjoys the support of the
Liverpool fans—despite some occasionally cringe-worthy outpourings.
I am particularly impressed with the bravery Rodgers has shown in some of
his transfer dealings.
LFC fans may have been disappointed to have seen long-serving goalkeeper
Pepe Reina shown the door—particularly in the fashion he was—but the
reality is that the Spaniard was growing ever-more error-prone, and his
replacement, the Belgian Simon Mignolet, is one of the Premier League’s
brightest stoppers.
His signings, as well, have been promising and, as with his sales, courageous.
Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge were, for different reasons,
damaged goods upon their arrival at Anfield. Many feared the former was
too lightweight for the Premier League, while questions surrounded the
latter’s maturity, application and team ethic.
Few have those doubts any more, as the pair—particularly in light of Luis
Suarez’s enforced absence—have emerged as key players. Together, they
are one of the Premier League’s more potent attacking combinations.
Source: goal.com
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