Victor Moses, merely used as a pre-season star and Chelsea’s secret agent when out on loan, is working hard to prove his worth for the new manager Antonio Conte.
The 25-year-old was signed from Wigan Athletic after Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2012, but the winger only got to play one season in Blue before getting stuck in a loan mill, as he spent the following three seasons with three different Premier League sides; Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham, making around 20 league appearances for all teams.
So once again the decisive moments are nearing the Blues chiefs, as in the first two pre-season games, Moses has proved to be the best player for the Chelsea side with some great performances. He played 80 minutes of the first friendly against Rapid Vienna, missing only the very last moments of the second game against RZ Pellets before being subbed off for Christian Atsu.
In an interview for Chelsea’s official website, he’s currently over the moon to be back at Chelsea for pre-season and to train with the new manager, and is eager to stay. He was asked about his view on Chelsea’s pre-season training which is now taking place in the United States, after starting off in Austria.
The work has not really changed from Austria. We just need to work hard to make sure we are a lot fitter come the start of the season. Everyone is looking sharp, everyone wants to do the work and we are excited; we have got a new manager and we all just want to work as hard as we can.
I came back to start my pre-season early with the group of players who had been on loan last season, which helped as well, but to be honest, I just want to enjoy my football. I want the fans to be able to recognize I am doing something good for the club but at the same time I want to work hard for the team and make sure we win games.
Chelsea will face Premier League rivals Liverpool on Thursday morning, and Moses believes it will be a good test of fitness for all players.
We have played two games so far so we still need to get our fitness up and we have a game coming up against Liverpool which is going to be good for us.
So far Antonio Conte has played Moses as a winger, who stays close to the touchline and goes in to challenge the opposition fullbacks, and the player himself enjoys that role the most as it reminds him of the one he played in Wigan.
That is my position really, staying out wide and most of the time going into one v one situations which I am good at. It is similar to the kind of game I was playing at Wigan and I have really enjoyed the two games. As a winger, you want to get at defenders and make it hard for them. Instead of them going forwards, they have to defend against you.
Unlike Moses, Chelsea’s another Nigerian, John Obi Mikel, is representing his country in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio. Despite not joining up for the national team, Moses is glad to have the opportunity to work with Chelsea this summer.
I am lucky doing my pre-season here. With a new manager I want to show my talent and that I am willing to play for the team, but at the same time I wish Nigeria the best and I hope they make the nation proud.
