Cuadrado paved way for Moses —Mikel

THE decision by Colombia midfielder, Juan Cuadrado to quit Chelsea is the main reason Victor Moses is having a swell time at Stamford Bridge under Antonio Conte, says club old timer, Mikel Obi.

Conte knows Cuadrado from their days at Juventus in Italy and had hoped the player would man the right wing-back position in Chelsea’s 3-5-3 formation but the player later told the media he did everything to leave Stamford Bridge.

“It was a key moment when Cuadrado went back to Juventus – Victor knew that as well,” Mikel told Standard Sport on Friday.

“There was a chance Cuadrado would have had the right wing-back role instead, but he wanted to leave Chelsea, Mikel added.

“The situation with Cuadrado made it easier for Victor, but he had already impressed in pre-season by that stage.”

Having being installed a first teamer, Mikel explains that Moses’ mood has been utterly vibrant.

“This is the happiest I have seen Victor at the club. You can really notice the change in him at the training ground.

“Whereas in previous years, he could be a bit quiet, now he is making more jokes and laughing with everyone.

“He has been on loan a lot over the years and I told him to ‘be a man, stay and fight for your place’.

“But he had his own agenda and went on loan instead. I respected that. But this year you could tell he was fed up of going on loan and wanted to compete for a spot.”

And as far as Mikel is concerned, Conte deserves as much as the credit for the transformation as the player himself.

Mikel concluded: “Victor is fitter and sharper than he has ever been before, but I think a key thing is playing for a manager that has belief in him at Chelsea for the first time.

“That in turn has given Victor more confidence to express himself on the pitch and look to make the difference.”