Moses may return to Chelsea – Stoke

Stoke City manager, Mark Hughes, has hinted that Victor Moses may be in Chelsea’s plans for the upcoming Premier League season.

The Nigerian 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.”

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,” the Stoke boss said.

“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.”