Victor Moses desperate to show Antonio Conte he deserves spot in Chelsea first team

Victor Moses is eager to prove his worth to new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, having been forced out on loan to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United during the last three seasons. The Nigerian is using the pre-season campaign to convince the Italian that he deserves a first-team spot, having played a big part in friendlies against Rapid Vienna and RZ Pellets.

The 25-year-old was recruited by Roberto Di Matteo in the summer of 2012 following a breakout season at Wigan Athletic. He scored 10 goals in his first 12 months at Stamford Bridge, and made 44 appearances under both Di Matteo and interim manager Rafa Benitez.

However, Moses' career at the Blues was stopped in its tracks by the return of Jose Mourinho to the club in the summer of 2013. The Portuguese boss did not see him as part of his plans and send the winger out on loan spells to three Premier League rivals, most recently West Ham.

The Nigerian was overlooked by his country for the 2016 Rio Olympics after a stop-start campaign with the Hammers, where he was hampered by injury. However, he is starting pre-season at Chelsea with refuelled batteries and is eager to prove to Conte that he can be a key figure at Stamford Bridge.

"I am lucky to be doing my pre-season here," Moses told the official Chelsea website. "With a new manager I want to show my talent and that I am willing to play for the team, but at the same time I wish Nigeria the best [at the Olympics] and I hope they make the nation proud.

"I came back to start my pre-season early with the players who had been on loan last year, which helped as well, but to be honest I just want to enjoy my football. I want the fans to be able to recognise I am doing something good for the club, but at the same time I want to work hard for the team and make sure we win games."

The winger has enjoyed two chances to prove his worth to Conte so far, with the Italian boss giving him game-time in the first two pre-season friendlies. Moses has welcomed the opportunities and thanked the manager for letting him play in his favourite position on the flanks.

"That is my position really, staying out wide and most of the time going into one-on-one situations, which I am good at. It is similar to the kind of game I was playing at Wigan and I have really enjoyed the two games," he said. "As a winger, you want to get at defenders and make it hard for them. Instead of them going forwards, they have to defend against you."