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VICTOR MOSES IN FROM THE COLD

It had been a long time coming. Victor Moses’ inclusion in Antonio Conte’s XI for Chelsea’s 2-0 victory at Hull City last month was his first Premier League start for the club since May 2013, when Rafael Benitez’s side ran out 2-1 winners at Aston Villa.

The Nigeria international had played in the top flight for Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United since then, with many expecting Moses to secure a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer. Conte clearly saw something he liked in the former Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic man, though, and Moses was duly included in the matchday squads to face West Ham, Watford and Burnley at the start of the campaign.

It was still difficult to see how the 25-year- old would be able to force his way into the team, however, at least for as long as Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian remained fit and available for selection. Indeed, although Moses did receive some playing time in those aforementioned encounters in August, it was clear that he remained, at best, the fourth-choice option on the wings.

An alteration in formation has changed everything: Moses has been absent from the field of play for only 13 minutes in Chelsea’s last three Premier League outings, with Conte handing him a wing-back role in his side’s new 3-4- 3 configuration.

The move has paid off handsomely, on both a collective and individual level. Chelsea have won three out of three since the switch, scoring nine goals and conceding none against Hull, Leicester City and Manchester United, and Moses has taken to the position with a minimum of fuss.

A slightly more withdrawn role means he has extra space to put his speed and direct running to good effect, while he has also demonstrated terrific tenacity without the ball – it was interesting to note, for instance, that no-one made more interceptions than Moses during Chelsea’s 4-0 thrashing of United on Sunday afternoon, with Cesar Azpilicueta the only Blues player to win more tackles.

“The formation we’re playing really suits the way I play, and the other players as well,” Moses told ESPN last week. “We’re very intense, we want to shut down our opponents and get the ball forward on counter-attacks. We’re looking solid at the back at the moment as well, so we’re very pleased with that.”

Conte, meanwhile, heaped praised on his revitalised charge, who admitted to barely speaking with previous Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho throughout his second spell in west London.

“Victor Moses is playing very well,” the Italian said prior to the United victory. “At the start of the season I said to the club that I had to have a look at him, because I wanted to assess him with my own eyes. And he’s a very good guy. I’m pleased to have him in our squad. He’s a fantastic player and a fantastic man as well, and this is important for me.”

Even more significant is the impact Moses has made on the pitch. Just when his career at Stamford Bridge looked to be coming to an end, the Nigerian has come in from the cold and established himself as a key part of a Chelsea team who have reasserted their Premier League title credentials in recent weeks.

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