By Toby Prince
He might not be needed in Southwest London, but Victor Moses is highly regarded just across, in East London and has already received the backing of a new team-mate who described him as “good business”.
The Nigerian winger will be a major signing for West Ham this season, his new team-mate, James Tomkins, believes.
Moses, 24, extended his contract with Chelsea last week and was immediately loaned to the Hammers on transfer deadline day in search of regular first-team action at the Boleyn Ground.
The English defender still has fond memories of Moses while they kited for England Under-21 side and is relishing the chance of linking up with him once again.
“I know Victor Moses fairly well from our time playing together for England,” Tomkins told West Ham official website.
The West Ham star went on to warn opposing defenders about the attacking prowess of the Nigerian and believes he will be a valuable addition to the squad.
“He was brilliant for Stoke last season and is a nightmare to mark. The lads have already seen that in training. He can be a match winner on his day and I will try and help him settle in as I know him well.
“He is a similar age to me and he wants to play games. He is playing for a massive club like Chelsea and they have offered him a new deal which shows what they think of him.
“But for him to come here and play first-team football is something he is seeking to do.
“I think it is good business for the club and we have strengthened areas of the squad that we needed to and it was great recruitment.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has revealed he advised Moses against remaining in Stamford Bridge and should instead move elsewhere for regular playing time.
“I spoke to Moses that with the many players (Jose) Mourinho was buying in the summer, I was not sure (Moses) would get to play very much,” Oliseh told supersport.com
The pair was reported to have met in London few weeks ago, a meeting from which club and country colleague, John Obi Mikel, was surprisingly absent.
“I also told him I needed a Moses that was playing matches regularly at club level.
“Moses then told me that he would do anything to play for Nigeria and informed me that he would be speaking to his manager the next day.
“As we all know, Moses is now with West Ham where he is virtually guaranteed regular football week in week out,” Oliseh revealed.
Moses missed Nigeria’s barren draw against Tanzania at the weekend with an injury and the gaffer believed “a fit Victor Moses would have done us a world of good.”
