Victor Moses was in a Chelsea shirt for the first time since last pre-season when he played the opening half against New York Red Bulls.
He earned good reviews during his season on loan at Stoke, featuring 23 times and scoring four goals in a campaign punctuated by occasional injury. That followed another Premier League year at Liverpool.
Now back in blue, Moses was one of the players who caught the eye as the first 45 minutes of pre-season ended 1-0, the goal scored by Loic Remy. In a more open second period, an Eden Hazard strike was not enough to prevent a 4-2 defeat but after the game, Moses was one of the players discussed by Jose Mourinho, who said:
Moses against New York Red Bulls
‘Victor is strong, he’s experienced and he knows the Premier League well.
‘He’s fast and aggressive. He has to learn how to play with us but I’m happy with his week and his 45 minutes. Let’s see what happens but Victor had an evolution in the last couple of years.’
Moses gave his assessment of the action to the official Chelsea website afterwards.
‘I am very pleased that I played a part in the game,’ said the 24-year-old.
‘We knew how hard it would be. New York Red Bulls have been playing games and it wasn’t that easy, and overall it was a pleasing game for us. The fans who were here were great as well and we are very pleased to get a game on here.’
It was Moses, operating down both wings over the course of the first 45 minutes, who had the first true opportunity to score – bursting with ease into space but his shot was saved. He did beat the keeper with what initially appeared to be the perfect little lob from an angle, following an excellent supply from his fellow Nigerian international John Mikel Obi, but the ball rebounded back off the post.
‘I thought I had scored but that is part of the game,’ Moses said.
‘I shall work hard now on my finishing and next time when I have the same opportunity, I will put the ball in the back of the net.
‘The legs are little bit tired and you know what the first pre-season game is like, but we have just got to pick ourselves back up and we are looking forward to the next game against PSG.’
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