Chelsea

Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot praises Victor Moses development

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 05 November 2016

Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot praises the development of former teammate Victor Moses, who has impressed for the Blues this season.

Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot has admitted that he has been impressed with the progression of Victor Moses.

Melchiot was a teammate of Moses during the early stages of his career at Wigan Athletic, and the Dutchman has revealed that we was surprised by how the former attacker had taken to his new wing-back role under Blues boss Antonio Conte.

On his website, the 40-year-old said: "Victor Moses might be the big headline of them all. I played with Victor when he was at Wigan. [Roberto] Martinez was very impressed by his talent and we once talked about how we couldn't believe no big club could see it.

"I do have to say he sometimes had to learn to be more focused, not just in the games but in training. He was only 20 years old back then, and I think that's something every young star has to deal with when they break through. You have to learn to separate the jokes from work because when you hit the pitch, whether in a game or training, it means business.

"It didn't take long before Chelsea saw Victor's qualities and snapped him up. Then there was a long loan out process at a number of clubs until Conte came and changed the system.

"He put Victor in a role where he had way more responsibility than he was used to. In the [Manchester] United game I saw Victor in his own box more then I've seen him ever in a game. Back-tracking and winning balls and headers like he was a defender. Moses has managed to adjust and handle his new role well and I hope he can keep this great form going."

Melchiot made 165 appearances for Chelsea between 1999 and 2004 and played 101 times for Wigan during a three-year spell between 2007 and 2010.