Nigerian star, Victor Moses lost his parent at an early age; eleven years to be precise. Since then, Moses had been through the rough part of life; he was helped by relatives who paid his trip to England where he began his football career.
He was scouted by Crystal Palace while playing football in the local Tandridge League for Cosmos 90 FC.
Palace recommended him to the fee-paying Whitgift School in Croydon, where former Arsenal and Chelsea star Colin Pates was coaching the school football team. Moses first came to prominence at 14 after scoring 50 goals for Palace’s under-14 side.
Playing for three years at Whitgift and Palace, Moses scored over 100 goals as well as helping Whitgift win many School Cups, including a National Cup where Moses scored all five goals in the final against Healing School of Grimsby at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester.
Moses made his first debut for Palace at the age of 16 in a 1–1 draw with Cardiff City.
He kept his place in the side and scored his first senior goal in 2008 in a 1–1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
Moses played 16 times in 2007–08 as Palace reached the Championship play-offs where they lost out to Bristol City.
At the end of the season, he signed a new contract at Selhurst Park, much to the delight of manager Neil Warnock, who stated, “Victor signing is a huge coup for the club; I’ve told Victor he could go as high as he wants. He’s improving every day and I am delighted that he has signed this deal as he is a player who will go from strength to strength.”
Moses scored twice in 32 appearances in 2008–09 as Palace had a disappointing campaign, finishing 15th on the table.
In 2009–10 season, Moses went on a run of six goals in eight matches but Palace suffered huge financial problems and the club went into administration in January 2010.
On 23 August 2012, Wigan accepted a bid from Chelsea after they finally met Wigan’s asking price after four previously unsuccessful bids.
Victor Moses’ journey to become a regular at Chelsea has been an unusual expedition. Following an impressive debut last season, scoring 11 goals in 43 appearances, Moses was primed to continue his development as a Chelsea player. The Blues’ successful Europa League conquest was an excellent indicator of how vital the winger could be, contributing four goals in the knockout stages. To further reinforce his efforts to claim a place in Chelsea’s first-team, he was impressive during the pre-season.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic rise to become Antonio Conte’s first-choice right wing-back at Chelsea.
Chelsea’s robust 3-4-3 system has been nothing short of a blessing for Moses.
A side tainted with defensive ineptitude and a frustrating tendency to concede ‘cheap goals’ have been transformed into a rigid and formidable defensive unit, currently flaunting the second best defensive record in the league. This evolution has been utterly staggering, especially considering the pitiful standards achieved last season. One of the most prominent beneficiaries and influencers of this new system has been Victor Moses.
Moses was handed the opportunity for which he persevered over the past few years. Even before the introduction of the 3-4-3 system, Moses had made five substitute appearances and consecutive starts in the league cup — scoring two goals. Since the induction of the new system, Moses has been operating as the right wing-back, a brand new position for him yet one in which he has excelled. The 25-year-old has started the previous five league fixtures, during which the Blues have displayed their best defensive form for over seven years.
It’s astonishing that a player who was seemingly just another casualty of Chelsea’s controversial loan system has transformed into an important first-team member. Throughout his entire career, Moses has been renowned for his attacking quality — switching to a more defensive role was not the obvious path to excellence for him to take. His adaptation to his new position has been seamless. He is the product of Conte’s tactical excellence.
Victor Moses’s attitude is exemplary, and he’s reaping the benefits of playing in Conte’s new system.
“I have not played there before but I have just got to listen to what the manager asks me to do in that position, and the way he wants me to do it.”
“Every game we play, I just want to keep on improving. The more games you play, the more experience you get in that position. I’m really relishing it at the moment and enjoying it.
“It’s very important to understand your team-mates. I have got Cesar Azpilicueta there, the spare right-back, who is behind me, and he communicates with me and really helps me out to make sure I am in the right position.
“Defensively, we all work as a unit in training and every day in training the manager is on top of us to make sure we are solid. He’s also very helpful on the touchline. He talks to you to make sure you’re in the right position.
“It’s very good to link up with Pedro or Willian, too. They know when it’s time for me to go or when not to go. We speak to each other and we look at each other’s movement to make sure we are doing the right thing on the pitch.
“I’m feeling happy, I’m feeling excited and right now I’m looking forward to every game.” -Victor Moses said on Sky Sports.
While Moses new fine form may be a surprise, it will also empower him to utilize his strengths in dribbling and physical play.
Chelsea is endowed with plenty of creative talents, many of whom are recognised for their dribbling ability, but none of them is as direct as Victor Moses.
He’s fearless when advancing, especially at pace, and driving forward from deep positions has become his Chelsea trademark. He poses a threat with each move and has been responsible for scoring beautiful goals while also creating chances.
Six months ago, it would have been extremely difficult to see how Chelsea could become reliant on Moses, yet, it’s hard to envisage how the 3-4-3 system would efficiently operate without him. Chelsea have been revitalised, and it is unquestionable that Moses has contributed greatly to this dramatic change of fortune.
Although, it’s still early days, but Moses’s remarkable tale is far from over, yet the first signs of his life as a wing-back have been exceedingly encouraging.
Again, Moses displayed his excellent club form when Nigeria trashed Algeria 3-1 in the World Cup qualification group in Uyo.
Moses was the architect of the win for Nigeria in the 25 minutes, when he burst into the area and saw a weak attempt to clear fall back into his path for him to finish.
As Nigeria continues its quest for a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, there is no doubt that Moses fine form will be a boost for Nigeria.
Anthony Nlebem
Twitter: @AnthonyNlebem
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AnthonyNlebem
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