Conte amazed by Mourinho’s disdain for Chelsea star

Victor Moses: A regular under Antonio Conte

Victor Moses: A regular under Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte has revealed his amazement that Victor Moses had been overlooked by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea for so long.

The 25-year-old has made 13 appearances this season, scoring three times and making one assist and he has been on the losing side only once this season – when he appeared as a late sub in the home defeat to Liverpool.

The former Wigan winger arrived at Stamford Bridge for £9million in August 2012 but, before this season, he had failed to establish himself at the Bridge.

Moses did play 49 times, mainly under Rafa Benitez, in his first season and scored 12 goals and the future looked bright for the Nigeria international, but his chances were limited after that and he was farmed out on loan to Liverpool by Mourinho.

Mourinho then loaned Moses to Stoke the following season before the Portuguese boss sent the player to West Ham last term, where he featured 28 times, scoring four times.

Under Conte though Moses was given a clean slate and he has made the right wing-back role his own and has been an integral part of their six-match winning run.

“Victor Moses? I picked up on his potential from the first days of summer training. He has important qualities: his technique, his strength, his ability to cover seventy metres on the wing.

Victor Moses: Wing-back has impressed this term

“I find it incredible that someone like him should have been underestimated,” Conte told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Pedro is perfect for the 3-4-3, Diego Costa is one of the best centre-forwards in the world. Hazard is an indisputable talent and a wonderful boy”.

Meanwhile, the former Juventus coach has also poo-pooed any notion of Oscar or Cesc Fabregas moving to Inter or AC Milan in January.

Cesc Fabregas Chelsea

“Gossip. I am not going to send them away. They are important players for Chelsea.

“Will we buy a defender in January? The squad is complete, this kind of talk is premature.”