Garth Crooks: Victor Moses has become a rare kind of player this season

Garth Crooks: Victor Moses has become a rare kind of player this season

Former Tottenham Hotspur player Garth Crooks has hailed Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses for being a “revelation” this season.

Moses had previously appeared to have no long-term future at Stamford Bridge but has reinvented himself this campaign and produced a superb display as Chelsea overcame Tottenham on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final.

Possessing pace and power in abundance, Moses caused many problems for Tottenham’s defence at Wembley and won a penalty after he was fouled by Son Heung-min.

“What a revelation Victor Moses has been for Chelsea this season,” Crooks told BBC Sport.

“We all know he can play when he has the ball at his feet but few would have credited him as a player capable of holding down a position with such serious defending responsibilities.”

Moses may have thrived in an unfamiliar role this season but the same cannot be said for Son, whom Crooks says was “outsmarted” by his Chelsea rival on Saturday.

The BBC pundit continued: “His performance against Tottenham’s Son Heung-min in the FA Cup semi-final was impressive. Moses outsmarted the naïve Son, who went to ground far too early in the box, allowing Moses to take advantage of the inevitable contact for a penalty.

“The former Crystal Palace winger has come a long way since his days as a loan player with Stoke, Liverpool and West Ham. Since the arrival of manager Antonio Conte he has looked supreme at wing-back for the Blues.

“Occasionally you find players who can make the transition from one position to another but it’s very seldom you find a player who makes his name performing a particular function, but then becomes an even better player when asked to perform another role. Moses has become that player.”

Moses has excelled both defensively and going forwards this season – he has averaged four defensive actions per game while also creating 21 chances in total.

The 26-year-old will hope to help Chelsea conclude the campaign strongly, with Antonio Conte’s side looking to win the double.

Chelsea are four points clear at the top of the Premier League and can take another step towards clinching the title when they host Southampton on Tuesday night.

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