Chukwu backs utility Moses for new Eagles role

Festus Abu

Christian Chukwu has defended Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s decision to  convert Victor Moses into a wing-back at the London side.

Nigeria winger Moses, who spent the last three seasons on loan at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham since his £9m move from Wigan in 2012, has   established himself as a regular at Chelsea, with his attacking and defending movements in Conte’s 3-4-3 formation helping the Blues to wins against Hull City, Leicester City and Manchester United.

Former  Nigeria  coach Chukwu, who has  expressed his excitement at Moses’ rising stock in the Premier League, says he will support any decision aimed at ensuring  that the player replicates  his form for  Chelsea  back at the  Super Eagles.

“Playing as a wing-back at Chelsea shows  that Moses is a utility player,” the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday.

“The most important thing is that he’s playing regularly for his club, it doesn’t matter if he’s playing a defensive role.

“The coach believes in him, hence he converted him into his new role in the team.”

 The former Nigeria captain added, “It’s difficult to get utility players these days. We should be happy that Moses has proved himself as a utility player.

“It means if our coach (Gernot Rohr) no longer has confidence in any of his  fullbacks,  he can play Moses as a defender.”

Chukwu expressed his disappointment over the disparaging remarks the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner has received in recent times over his attitude towards the national team.

He said, “Playing for Chelsea is different  from playing for the  Eagles. Moses’ teammates at Chelsea understand him better. The  Eagles will only win games if every player does his job well.”

 The former Enugu Rangers captain and coach urged the Eagles to prepare well for their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo on November 12, saying the Desert Foxes would aim for victory in the encounter.

He said, “It’s going to be a tough match for us. We should not underestimate them because  Algeria are stronger than Zambia.If we take the game seriously, we will beat them.”