Antonio Conte believes Chelsea’s 3-4-3 formation has not only transformed his first season at Stamford Bridge, but also Victor Moses’s career.
The Italian looks on course to win the Premier League in his first season in England having installed his famed tactical approach which brought him three successive Serie A titles with Juventus.
Chelsea have dropped just seven points since a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in September and Moses is one of the standout stories of their success after excelling as a wing-back.
The Nigerian’s displays reaped improved terms earlier this week in the form of a two-year contract extension and Conte has underlined how impressed he has been with the player.
Conte said: “He told me: ‘I’m ready to stay here and fight for you, for the club. I need to have my chance and show I deserve to play with this team, with Chelsea.’
“If you ask me if I imagined him in this new position, not before. No. Not before.
“We started 4-2-4 and I always saw him as a winger, very good in one versus one, but a bit poor defensively.
“Then, when I decided to change the system, I wanted to try him in this new role and to work with him on defensive situations.
“He showed me great commitment to understand, to study the new role, above all in defensive situations. Now we have a complete player, offensively and defensively.”
Moses did not start a Premier League game this season until Conte’s tactical tweak, but the manager insists Moses was always in his plans for this season.
“I realised it quickly, that Victor could stay with us,” he said.
“I remember during pre-season, when we stayed in America, I spoke with him and told him: ‘Victor, you will stay with us.’ I’m happy to have this type of player.
“But I saw his potential quickly. I knew (of) him, but to see him live is very important to judge a player.
“I repeat: he deserved to stay with us this season, and also now he’s deserving to play in the lineup
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