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| Victor Moses |
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has hinted
that Victor Moses may be in Chelsea’s plans for
the upcoming Premier League season after his
club were unable to extend his stay at the
The Nigeria international winger netted four goals
in 23 appearances while on loan at Stoke last
season and there were suggestions he could be
part of a deal to take Asmir Begovic to Stamford
Bridge for the 2015/16 campaign.
However, the Bosnian goalkeeper joined the
Blues this week with Dutch midfielder Marco Van
Ginkel going to Stoke on loan, while the future of
Moses, who has not played a competitive game
for Chelsea since the return of manager Jose
Mourinho two years ago, was left unclear.
According to Hughes, that could be because the
24-year-old has been given another opportunity
to shine at the club that he joined three seasons
ago from Wigan.
“I think Chelsea have taken a view on Victor,”
said the Welshman, who is in Singapore with
Stoke for the Barclays Asia Trophy.
“What they’re thinking, I think, is that they would
possibly like to keep him although if they go into
the market again, they could change that idea.
“Victor obviously came to us last year and did
exceptionally well for us. There were a couple of
injuries that hampered him unfortunately but he
showed enough in his time with us that it made
Chelsea very aware of the talent they have and
what Victor can offer so it could be that he now
plays a part for Chelsea this year.”
Stoke face Everton on Wednesday in their
opening game of the competition and Hughes is
looking forward to testing his side against
Premier League rivals in their first match of the
pre-season.
“It hasn’t happened on too many occasions that
Stoke have travelled and played Premier League
opposition at this time of the year,” said the
Stoke boss.
“So it’s something new for us and something we
can benefit from because the quality of the
opposition is high and it will bring up to speed a
lot quicker than usual.
“The fact that there’s a trophy on offer as well,
that will always get the competitive juices going.
So we’ll react to that and be stimulated by
that.”
While it is a pre-season competition, Everton
manager Roberto Martinez expects plenty of
commitment from both teams despite the
unfamiliar tropical conditions.
“Both teams can be really strong on the ball and
be very dynamic so I expect a really tough game
and it will be interesting how we can adapt to
the conditions,” said the Spaniard.
“The humidity and heat is quite different from
what we are used to so it will be interesting to
face an opposition that we know so well in such
different conditions.
“Pre-season is not about winning, it’s about
getting the physical aspects that you need,
individually and as a team, but it is something
different when you come to a tournament like
this which brings an extra excitement and an
extra spice. They are pre-season games but you
are part of a prestigious tournament and you
want to win.”
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