Premier League champions Chelsea, completed the signing of 23-year-old German international defender Antonio Rudiger from AS Roma on Sunday, for a fee believed to be in the region of £34.5million.
The versatile defender links up with the Blues, after been courted by the west London club over the past couple of weeks, as he is viewed by Chelsea’s hierarchy as the long-term successor to now-departed legend John Terry.
While the big strapping defender of Sierra Leone descent (His mother hails from the West African country), will be celebrating and eagerly anticipating the massive step-up in his young glittering career to date, it will not be same for another member of the Chelsea backline, Victor Moses.
Moses had to endure three successive seasons of loan spells across Premier League clubs, after an above average debut year in the Blues colour-2012/13. He was famously nicknamed ‘Mr preseason’ due to his impressive performances in exhibition games before the commencement of the season, but unfortunately he appeared never to do enough to earn the trust of maverick Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho.
The coming of Antonio Conte at the start of last season didn’t hint much of an improvement in the fortunes of the Nigerian international, but to his credit, Moses rolled up his sleeves and got down to work, which apparently earned him the green light from the expressive Italian manager, who found a new role for the player at right wing-back.
Moses was an ever present in his new found position, totalling 33 appearances for Chelsea in a title winning campaign last season, putting pen-to-paper on an improved contract which runs out in 2021.
Considering the big money signings of David Luiz and Rudiger in the last 12 months, and the likelihood of Gary Cahill becoming the Blues captain in future, It Is therefore a foregone conclusion that Cesar Azpilicueta will be reverted back into a full back role, preferable a right wing-back, which is his natural position.
The above scenario doesn’t look to be cheering news to the ears of the newly wedded Moses, who must have anticipated beginning the title defence as one of the first names on the Blues team sheet like it was in the past campaign.
Apparently, a natural born fighter that he is, who has overcome several challenges in life and career, it is expected that this latest chapter in his professional career will be one that ends in conquest like has previously been the case.
