Southgate's No 2 on Victor Moses getting a chance under former Chelsea coach Conte

Published: June 08, 2021

Former Chelsea assistant coach Steve Holland, who is now Gareth Southgate's number 2, has explained why Victor Moses broke into the Blues' starting lineup in their last title-winning season.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner did not take his spot in the team for granted when he was given a chance by manager Antonio Conte during the 2016-2017 season.

What Conte did after the loss to Arsenal was to switch to a back three and he deployed Moses as a right wing-back rather than his favoured position as a winger and the Nigerian excelled in the new position.

The Crystal Palace academy product was farmed out on loan to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham before he was retained by the Italian manager in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge after impressing in pre-season training.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Holland stated : "Players need hope that if they train well they’ll get a chance.

"At Chelsea, Antonio Conte changed to a back three and brought in Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso from the cold.

"I had Cesc Fabregas, John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic sitting behind me. Moses and Alonso did well and played the rest of the season.

"It shows if you do what the coach wants, you get a chance. "

Moses lost his spot in the starting lineup after Maurizio Sarri replaced Conte as Chelsea boss in July 2018, leading to the player being loaned out to Fenerbahce, Inter Milan and Spartak Moscow.

The two-time World Cupper will end his nine-year association with Chelsea when the transfer market opens for business.

Spartak Moscow are set to activate the mandatory purchase clause inserted into the loan deal bringing him to the Russian Premier League side following their qualification for next season's Champions League.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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