Antonio Conte’s first game as Chelsea Managerdidn’t quite go as planned with the Blues losing
0-2 to Austrian side Rapid Vienna in their first
pre season game.
However the manager would have been
delighted by the super showing of Nigerian
winger Victor Moses who was by far Chelsea’s
best player in the game despite the shock loss
to Rapid Vienna.
Moses back after a loan spell at West Ham, his
third consecutive loan away from Chelsea was
the liveliest player for Chelsea, creating
opportunities, tracking back and winning fouls in
an all round display that earned him the
manager’s handshake when he was substituted.
Playing from the left he created Chelsea’s first
real chance of the game when he was brought
down close to the penalty area but the referee
waved play on, not deterred minutes later he
won a corner kick after smart exchange of
passes with Nemanjic Matic.
In the second half he had another genuine claim
for a penalty when he was brought down in the
box after linking up well with Oscar but just like
the first, the referee waved play on.
Minutes later his combination with Ola Aina, the
Nigerian teen who was introduced for his
Chelsea debut saw him draw a foul before he
showed his defensive side by winning
possession back for the Blues and turning it into
attack.
He was replaced by Christian Atsu with few
minutes left to play and the Nigerian was given
a firm handshake by coach Antonio Conte on
his way to the bench.
Bar Moses and Aina, Mikel Obi was the other
Nigerian on show for the Blues with the 29 year
old lasting just over 25 minutes before he was
substituted by Nathaniel Chalobah.
Chapisha Maoni