Chelsea forward Victor Moses is hopeful that the goal that he scored against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night will bring him to the attention of the club’s new head coach Antonio Conte and revive his flagging career with the Blues.
The Nigerian forward impressed during his first season at Stamford Bridge, making 43 appearances in all competitions and scoring ten goals. He was marginalised when José Mourinho returned to the club, however, spending loan spells firstly at Liverpool before then going to Stoke and West Ham United.
Signed from Wigan for £9 million in 2012, Moses never hit it off with the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ but is hoping that he will be able to impress former Italy national coach Conte enough to be considered for a regular starting berth. The Italian’s faith in the 25-year-old was rewarded with the second goal in Chelsea’s tense 3-2 win over Rovers in the EFL Cup, his first goal for the club since 2013.
Now Moses believes that it’s important he pushes on and makes sure the manager is aware of his talents. After the game he said, “I was excited to get on the scoresheet, it was important for me as well as for the team. I’ve always believed in the ability and the talent I’ve got and I’d like the fans to know there’s still a lot to come from me”.
The forward feels that he will benefit from Conte coming in and giving everyone a clean slate. Despite having performed well in previous pre-seasons he didn’t feel he got a fair crack of the whip with Mourinho in the hot seat but reckons that the former Juventus player and manager is giving everyone a chance. He said, “We’ve got a great manager here who gives the lads a chance to express themselves. I’m pleased to be playing this season and I just want to keep working hard. 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”.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek echoed Moses’ thoughts about everyone feeling more confident under the new manager. Despite not having European football this season the youngster, who impressed against Rovers out of position just behind the main striker, believes that cups are still on offer for the Blues. He said, “There is no Champions League this season but we want to win trophies. We can concentrate on the Premier League and the cups as well. It’s a minus not being in the Champions League but it is a plus in a way that we can focus on these two cups”.
For Moses, though, the chance to impress at his parent club is of paramount importance. He said, “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…There’s still a lot to come from me for the club. There’s still a lot I want to do for the club…I want to do the right thing and also to enjoy myself on the pitch. I just want to keep on going. Now I’m here I’m happy and I just want to keep on enjoying myself. As long as we are winning games I’m happy.