Victor Moses claims Antonio Conte is The Unique One whose man-management can take Chelsea back to the Prem title
Blues wideman says he feels wanted again as the new Stamford Bridge boss makes sure he understands EVERY player
VICTOR MOSES reckons Antonio Conte is the Unique One when it comes to working one-on-one with players.
Chelsea winger Moses is loving his second chance at Stamford Bridge after getting loaned out in the three seasons under former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
The 25-year-old must have feared for his Chelsea future after he was farmed out to Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham — but has returned to be part of Conte’s plans.
And he has witnessed the Italian’s magic touch up close, with what he says to each player and by taking control of EVERY part of his game.
Many will see his amazing backing for Chelsea boss Conte as a dig at Mourinho, who fell out big time with Blues stars last season before being axed.
Moses said: “He’s very different because he came to the club and showed us it’s about more than football. He cares about the players individually.
“He wants to know what we are eating and he always wants us in the gym to prevent us from getting injured.
“He’s a very unique and a different manager from the other managers because he’s passionate and loves the game as well.
“When he talks about the game with you, he knows what to expect, his awareness, knowledge of the modern game and experience make him completely different and unique — in a nice way.”
Conte, 47, won titles as a player and manager at Juventus, which Moses believes puts him in a great position to pass on his wealth of experience.
And he believes it means the club will not be in the same position as last year — when the then reigning champions Chelsea fell well short of their own high expectations.
He said: “It’s very interesting and energetic training under the new manager.
“He’s a very passionate man who loves the game.
“He has played the game before and understands the game.
“He wants everyone to give 100 per cent to 120 per cent.
“This is because he is the kind of manager that doesn’t want to see any player going down, he wants everyone to get to the same level.
“As long as you keep on working hard for him, he’ll be there for the player and help the team.
“Everyone is amazingly happy, everyone is willing to play for the manager.
“They are all working extra hard to make sure we win games.
“If you see what happened last season, the players obviously don’t want that to happen this season.
“With the manager as well, it’s a different attitude and mentality.
“You can call it the desire not to fail, as he is helping us to make sure we don’t replicate what happened last season.
“The atmosphere is buzzing because we cannot let our fans, the club, manager and also ourselves down.
“The manager is there to help us and we all want to work hard for him, stay in top shape and approach the games with the hunger and desire it deserves.”
From the moment Conte arrived at the club this summer, after two years as Italy coach, Moses had the impression he would be part of his squad.
And on the prospect of leaving Chelsea, who visit Swansea today, Moses said: “It never crossed my mind and was never on the table.
“The manager never discussed it with me, so I knew I was going to stay and play here this season.
“He just said to me, ‘You know what, you ARE a good player and I just want you to keep on enjoying your football’.
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“That is the most important thing he has said to me.
“And that is exactly what I’m doing at the moment.
“As soon as I am out there I just want to go and enjoy it.
“When you enjoy it, then everything will come.
“He loves when a player works hard for him and that is what I am doing right now.
“You only need to look at him on match days to see his intensity, passion and desire — it also reflects on the team.”
The former Crystal Palace star added: “I always knew I had the ability, talent and was good enough to play for Chelsea.
“The manager is seeing that and I’m very pleased.
“I will do my best to contribute and make sure we win as many games as we can this season.
“This is one of the best clubs in the world and I will keep working hard to make sure I play more games now and in the future.”