By Nelson Dafe on September 24, 2016

Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has made a surprising claim about Chelsea and Super Eagles teammate Victor Moses’ training habit in his previous spells with The Blues.

Mikel, while speaking with goal.com on Moses’ return to top form to Chelsea this season, stated: “He looks to me a changed player, a player who wants to be here. He wants to work hard in training because before that has been the big problem with Victor – he doesn’t train well and then the managers don’t want to play him.”

It is a surprisingly candid opinion for a player to make such revelation about how a teammate has applied himself in training in the past, in these days when players often speak only about the positive sides of their colleagues.

The Nigerian duo are experiencing different fortunes in the young 2016/2017 Premier League season in England. While Mikel has been frozen out of the Chelsea first team set up so far, Moses (back from loan at West Ham) has enjoyed more playing time, making several substitute performances and started their last EFL match in the 4-2 away win at Leicester City.

While acknowledging that Chelsea’s new boss Conte has been able to redirect Moses’ work ethic positively, Mikel expressed confidence about his compatriot’s chances of getting even better this season.

“I think Vic is a totally changed player. He trains well and you can see that. In the games, when he plays, he plays really well. Vic is going to have a very, very good season this season. So I wish him well,” Mikel said.

Mikel claims he always told Moses to stay at Chelsea and not to go out on loan in the past. According to him, “I always told him: ‘Where are you going?’ every time he goes away. ‘I mean, you always go out on loan, but why? Stay here and fight, you are a very good player, a young player. You are quick, you are strong, you are fast, you can dribble, where are you going? Why are you always running away from this football club?’”

But Moses’ love for more playing time always saw him opt to go out on loan to find it. However, his loan spells at Liverpool and West Ham were not spectacular as he didn’t perform at the highest levels consistently for both clubs.

However Mikel is optimistic about the timing of Moses’ return to Chelsea.

“I think he has found a manager who will give him time, who believes he has got a lot to offer the team. I think he is ready to take up that challenge as well. I think it is the right time for Vic to be here,” he said.

“I think, if he was here another time, I don’t think he would have made it, but I think that this,” he added.

•Photo shows Victor Moses on duty for Chelsea.

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 24, 2016

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