Why This Forgotten Chelsea Star Is Proving To Be A Perfect Conte Man

Grass to grace stories don’t come any better than Victor Moses’. Loaned out for 3 consecutive terms having had an underwhelming debut season at the Stamford Bridge in the 2012–13 season, the former Wigan Athletic was never looking like a player that will play an important role in Chelsea’s campaign at the beginning of this season.

While it was surprising that Conte kept him as opposed to sending him on another loan as widely expected, it wasn’t a surprise to see him start the season on the bench.

For the first 5 games of the new Premier League season, he came off the bench, getting action for a combined total of 69 minutes. He was an unused substitute against Arsenal, but has started every match since the Hull City win.

The game against the Tigers was the beginning of Chelsea’s new 3-4-3 formation, and it was the beginning of a win streak that has extended to 4 games. It is no coincidence that it was also the beginning of the change in Moses’s fortune for good.

The right winger was deployed as a wing-back, giving him a chance to play as opposed to being an understudy and backup to Willian. The new formation and Conte’s choice to trust and field the Nigerian international has reaped the most perfect of results since.

Not only have Chelsea won all their last 4 EPL games till date, putting 11 goals past Hull, Leicester, United and Southampton, they have kept 4 clean sheets and these results are partly down to Moses’ contributions.

In all his 4 starts, the 25-year-old makeshift wing-back has committed no defensive errors, averaged 6 defensive actions and won 55% of his duels. His offensive contributions have seen him score a 100% shot accuracy, create 5 chances, and record an average pass length of 17 meters with 80% accuracy.

Victor Moses has adapted well to new life as a right wingback, and though he hasn’t had his defensive abilities come under heavy scrutiny as he is yet to come against the best right wingers the league has to offer, he has shown promises, great ones at that.

On a per-game basis, his numbers have been excellent. The skillful player has shown his ease again as far as take-ons go, averaging 3 dribbles and 1.3 key passes.

His winger instincts make him a great threat from the flanks, and he has put in 19 crosses in his last 4 games. At the back, he has averaged 2.3 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game since he broke into the starting lineup.

Just when it was thought Conte wouldn’t be able to deploy a 3-man defence in the EPL, he managed to get great results in the first 4 full games he has employed it, and 1 of the key players championing the new tactic is Moses – someone not considered better than being a squad player under Mourinho, at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham.

Moses is proving to be a perfect Conte man, and if his fine run continues, the future is very bright for him and for the club, this term and the ones to come.