Defender Extends Contract As Chelsea Look To Monaco To Strengthen Squad

Victor Moses has signed a new $75,000-a-week deal at Chelsea, as reported by The Telegraph.

The deal, which will keep him at the club until 2021, bolsters Chelsea’s wing-back options in the long-term. This weekend of course sees Moses return to West Ham, where he was a loanee until the end of last season.

His form with the Hammers was patchy, to put it mildly, and it’s no understatement to describe his improvement since as spectacular. Blues boss Antonio Conte has coached and moulded him into the ideal wing-back to the point that he now looks to be one of Chelsea’s most integral players.

Speaking following the announcement, Moses said:

“I feel very excited. I’m delighted to be here for another few years now and to sign a new deal. Now it’s time to concentrate on the team and keep working hard to make sure we win games and try to win the Premier League this season.

“We’re having a great season, I’m enjoying my football and we have a good manager here that has given every single one of us confidence. I just want to keep on enjoying it and working hard for the team.”

So dependent are Chelsea on his heroics that Conte is fully aware of the need for additional cover in the position.

César Azpilicueta has had limited exposure to the role this season and Nathan Ake has played little first team football in any position since returning from Bournemouth. Conte, along with many of Europe’s top bosses, has had his eye drawn to Monaco to bolster his defensive options, ironic perhaps given they conceded five goals against Manchester City just last week.

Specifically, Thomas Lemar and Djibril Sidibe are thought to be high on the Italian’s wish list. Sibide for his ability to play on both the right and left sides of defence, and Lemar for his offensive as much as his defensive acumen. It is not thought that any talks between the clubs took place in January, but a move from the London club is likely to come this summer.

Ten points clear at the league’s summit and already looking to strengthen for next year, Chelsea are in an extremely strong position. The onus now must be on their rivals to close the widening gap between themselves and the league leaders, both in terms of points and players.

Colm Egan, Pundit Arena