By Travis Tyler
For his achievements in 2017, Chelsea wingback Victor Moses has been named Player of the Year by the Nigerian Football Federation.
Few would have predicted Victor Moses to return from his years on loan and become a starter. He failed to repeat the form for which Chelsea bought him and looked certain to be sold. But Antonio Conte saw something in him that no other manager did as he turned Moses into Chelsea’s starting right wingback.
Since then, Moses has held on to his starting role. Though his form tailed off following an injury in early 2017, he slowly built himself a solid body of work. For his effort in 2017, he has been named the NFF’s Player of the Year.
What Moses lacked as a winger he made up for as a wingback. The added responsibility of defense played to his strengths while minimizing his weaknesses. Chelsea handedly won the title with him in the wide areas.
Moses has performed admirably during a difficult first half of the season. The wingback is the unquestionable starter in the role and that does not appear to be close to changing.
Moses is the latest in a series of Nigerian players to find success at Chelsea. Celestine Babayaro was one of the first. The ever present John Obi Mikel followed. Mikel currently holds the mantle as the clubs greatest ever Nigerian, but Moses has all the potential to take the crown.
On the international side, Moses further added to his case. Though injury kept him out of most of the fixtures, he still participated in three vital World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria drew Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in a tricky group.
If Moses can continue his club form and lead Nigeria through the group stage in Russia, he is sure to win the award once more. The award reflects greatly upon his will to fight for his place and not let go.
TPOL
