Brendan Rodgers: Victor Moses impressed when I was at Chelsea

Brendan Rodgers reveals Victor Moses first impressed him when the Liverpool boss was working as a youth team coach at Chelsea

Victor Moses scored 10 goals for Chelsea last seasonPhoto: The Sport Review

Brendan Rodgers has revealed Victor Moses first impressed the Reds boss as 16-year-old Crystal Palace player training at Chelsea.

The 22-year-old midfielder linked up with Rodgers when the Northern Irishman was working as a youth team coach during the first reign of José Mourinho at the west London club.
Moses came close to joining Chelsea before his proposed move fell through and the forward returned to the Eagles, eventually joining Wigan Athletic in 2010.

And the Nigerian, who completed a transfer to Chelsea from the Latics last summer, has finally been reunited with Rodgers after sealing a deadline day switch to Liverpool on a season-long loan.
“I know he’ll work well,” Rodgers told a news conference on Friday.
“I met him when he was 16 and he almost signed for Chelsea then.

“He came to us to train while he was a young player at Crystal Palace. Everything was set for him to join.
“But for whatever reason, he stayed and it probably turned out the right thing to do. He got first-team football, he moved [to Wigan] before eventually joining Chelsea.”

The Liverpool manager is confident Moses will effortlessly slot into his side after being presented with the “unique opportunity” to join the Reds on loan.

“He’s leaving a very good club that has been successful and he’s coming to one of the biggest clubs in the world – not many players get to do that,” Rodgers added.

“He’s coming in here to prove himself. I knew him from that period when I was a youth coach.”
Rodgers continued: “He suits our game in terms of his technique and quality. He’s a humble guy. He had good performances for Nigeria while he was away.”