When Antonio Conte arrived Stamford Bridge, one particular player almost certain to leave Chelsea was Nigerian winger, Victor Moses. However, about three months after the Italian officially took charge of the Blues, the 25-year-old not only remained at the club but has become one of his manager’s favourites.
Moses is one player that’s been written off by many Chelsea fans not because the Nigerian isn’t talented or hard-working but because he is not seen as the ‘typical Chelsea player’. An average Chelsea fan will understandably prefer a player with a superstar status over another who cost the club for a meagre £9m.
Despite being used sparingly in his debut season, Moses managed a career-high 10 goals in all competitions for the Blues. This was followed by three unfruitful loan spells at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham. In each of these seasons, the Nigerian was virtually the most impressive Chelsea player in pre-season – but at the end finds himself surplus to requirement when the season begins proper.
For Moses, all he ever wanted was an opportunity to prove how good he could be in Chelsea shirt. This could only be achieved when the manager in charge shows confidence in him which wasn’t the case in the last three seasons. With Antonio Conte joining the club, the Nigerian knew he had one last opportunity to remain at Stamford Bridge and the Italian unlike other coaches couldn’t just resist him.
“The most important thing for me was coming back to my main club. After all the loans I want to be here and help the club I belong to go as high as we can in the table,” the former Wigan attacker disclosed. “I’ve always believed in the ability and the talent I’ve got. To be honest every pre-season I feel I’ve done well and it’s just about being given a chance. That was the thing that was missing. I’ve got that with this manager now and he knows what I’ve got. I just want to pay him back by working hard for the team. There’s still a lot to come from me for the club. There’s still a lot I want to do for the club. We’ve got a great manager here who gives the lads a chance to express themselves.”
Moses started his first Premier League game in over three years in the 2-0 victory against Hull City on Saturday and did pretty well in an unfamiliar right-wing back position. This followed five substitute appearances in the league and two starts in the English League Cup scoring twice in both competitions. The former Wigan man won 67% of his attempted tackles in his new-found position which earned him the Man of the Match accolade. What this signifies is that the Nigerian is gradually getting the recognition he so much deserves.
Conte, one of few managers to have shown faith in Moses, unlike many Chelsea fans isn’t concerned about the pedigree of his players. All the Italian gaffer really sort after is the level of commitment, hard work and dedication shown by his players. No wonder he opted to start less-fancied Moses over the likes of Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro against Hull.
“Moses had a great contribution,” Conte revealed after Chelsea victory over the Tigers. “It shows it is not important about names but it’s important to be able to play in the right idea of football and show the right commitment and the right attitude. For me, Moses played an incredible game in a defensive situation and offensive situation. It’s fantastic because he’s working very hard and that’s why he deserved to play. He showed me that my choice was right.”
Moses will definitely continue to play a key role in Chelsea’s season thanks to the level playing field offered to everyone by Conte.
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