Would Michail Antonio be an upgrade on Victor Moses for Chelsea?

There’s no denying that Chelsea can still improve their squad during the transfer window. The Blues may top the Premier League, but the 2-0 loss at Tottenham last week could well have prompted a re-think by manager Antonio Conte. The Italian may have a settled starting XI, but there was a distinct pattern to both of the goals conceded at White Hart Lane. The ball was played to Christian Eriksen cross for Dele Alli, who twice found space between Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses to head past Thibaut Courtois from Spurs' left. 

Azpilicueta is widely regarded as one of the best in his position in the Premier League, but it’s fair to say Chelsea can improve upon Moses. With Conte switching to a 3-4-3 formation in mid-September, the Nigerian has been deployed at right wing-back to good effect. Chelsea have lost just one of the 14 Premier League games Moses has started this season, but after a bright start in the role, the performance levels have dipped. Moses’ WhoScored rating may be a respectable 7.18, yet Chelsea understandably feel they can upgrade out wide. 

It’s seen the Blues linked with a move for West Ham’s Michail Antonio as Conte looks to not only improve the club’s English quota, but bring in a possible replacement for Moses. The 26-year-old’s versatility is a huge asset. Antonio has made 19 Premier League starts this season in six different positions, including full-back and wing-back. 

While the performances have been mixed, much of that has been due to West Ham’s defensive deficiencies, of course, with the Hammers having shipped 35 league goals this season. However, as has been the case with David Luiz, Conte has the managerial capacity to improve the defensive side of Antonio’s game, but even then he is hardly struggling to impress in that regard. 1.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game is a respectable return for a player who has made 10 starts in an attacking role this term, meaning he would be unlikely to exhibit the defensive side of his game as readily as Moses, who is averaging the same number of tackles, but marginally more interceptions per game (1.4). 

However, it could well be the attacking side of Antonio’s game that appeals more to Conte when compared to Moses. Moses’ 1.7 dribbles per game is a commendable return, but pales in comparison to Antonio (2.7), with the Englishman routinely maximising his statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘dribbling’. What’s crucial, though, is the West Ham star’s goalscoring capability. Eight goals is a notable return for Antonio, six of which have been headers, more than any other player in the Premier League this season. 

Here he offers another dimension to the West Ham attack, which Conte believes he can utilise. With Marcos Alonso operating on the opposite flank, and widely considered the more defensive performer in the 3-4-3 formation, the right wing-back is granted greater freedom to attack opponents. With the more reserved Pedro or Willian providing further defensive solidity on the right, Conte has his side set up to ensure they are rarely caught short at the back, noted in that they have conceded just six goals in the 14 league games since switching to a three-man defence. 

This allows the right wing-back a greater attacking license to hurt opponents and if Antonio can make the darting runs into the box at the right time, he can use his heading ability to put opposition defences to the sword. With Alonso also capable of delivering crosses from deep – his average of 0.6 crosses per game is the third most of all Chelsea players this season – the Spaniard has what it takes to pick out Antonio at the back post to offer a further attacking threat for the Blues. 

If Chelsea do firm up their reported interest in Antonio, then it’s likely he would be deployed at wing-back under Conte, even if he has previously spoken out against playing in this position. Nevertheless, with a greater onus to help attack the opposition, reports of a move for Antonio shouldn’t be hastily batted away, even if West Ham are keen to retain his services. With the Blues allegedly willing to sweeten the deal by sending Michy Batshuayi to the London Stadium on loan, this is a transfer rumour that could well come to fruition by the end of the month. 

Antonio and Moses may offer similar defensively on the right, but it’s the former’s greater attacking output that surely appeals to Conte and perhaps the primary reason why the West Ham man has been linked with a switch from east to west London.