HOW I HELPED MOSES BECOME A STAR

Slaven Bilic has revealed that he had to push Victor Moses to get the best out of the forward when he was on loan at West Ham.

Moses returned to Chelsea in the summer and has emerged as an integral part of Antonio Conte’s side in one of the demanding wing-back roles that have characterised the Italian’s style of play.

Following years of loan spells, at Liverpool, Stoke and then in east London, the Nigerian has finally realised his potential and will return to face former manager Bilic, who he spent last season with, when Chelsea travel to West Ham on Monday.

Bilic said, “His potential, his characteristics, his strength, were always amazing. His pace, quality on the ball and stamina is basically top, top class. Sometimes you have to push him to do it day in day out and now he is doing it.

‘That is why he has done amazingly to keep his place in such a good side that probably was not guaranteed for him. It was everything but guaranteed for him in the beginning of the season. But he proved himself.

“If you add on top of that he is playing in a position that is not basically his ideal position – or wasn’t his ideal position. It makes his achievement even greater and he should be very proud of what he has done since the start of the season.”

According to Bilic, even Dimitri Payet, West Ham’s star player before he left for Marseille in January, admitted that Moses was better than him when they were both at the club last season.

“I remember once we had training and I spoke to Payet during last season,” Bilic said.

“It was him I think and a couple of other players. Payet said that Victor, including himself, is the best player that we have in West Ham. I mean seriously. It was about time to show what he had in himself and explode in a positive way – he has done it. He looks on the pitch very concentrated and very serious. He became a tough player.

“I am glad for him. He was our player and we enjoyed that year. He said that he also had good memories of his time here. So I am really glad for him. Of course he had it in him.”

Bilic is also  “very optimistic” that oft-injured Andy Carroll will be fit for the Chelsea match. The striker was a doubt for the match after picking up yet another problem.