Nigeria and Chelsea star Victor Moses has spoken in glowing terms of how his club manager Antonio Conte has inspired him to be a better player.
Moses was converted to a right wing-back for Chelsea by the Italian coach and the Super Eagles forward has blossomed in the position to emerge one of the Chelsea’s most important players for the season.
“It’s frustrating when you know your manager wants to use other players ahead of you and you’ve got to go on loan to different clubs,” Moses told Sky Sports on Friday.
“You get injured and all of a sudden you’re not getting back in the team. You can’t settle well. You’ve got to move your kids to a new school every season…Stuff like that is always going to play in your head.”
Moses has had to move to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United on loan moves since joining Chelsea from Wigan.
“I’ve never doubted the ability that I’ve got,” he added.
“Chelsea is one of the best clubs in the world and I’ve always believed I have the ability to get into the team. I’ve proved that this season. I just kept working hard and kept believing in myself. I’ve moved on from the difficult times now. This is a season I am never going to forget.
“We’ve got a manager now who gives everyone the opportunity to express themselves.
“I felt that from the start, right from the first day of training. He was talking to all the players. There was no favouritism. Everyone was the same to him. As long as you went out and proved yourself, he would give you the opportunity. I was very pleased to see that. It gave me confidence.
“I’ve always played in different positions. I don’t see myself in one position. I’m an all-round player.
“Wherever the manager asks me to play, I’m willing to do it to help the team. Defensively Conte is always working hard on me in training to make sure I’m solid. It has helped bring my game to another level.
“He knows I’m good offensively. He has always said to me that I’m very good in one-v-ones, but defensively he’s always working hard on me in training to make sure I’m solid. It has helped bring my game to another level. He talks to me a lot. I really appreciate that from a manager.
“We memorise moves to gel us together.
“We know that if we keep doing the same things in training every day, it’s going to be easier for us in games. “We stick together and we understand each other.”