Nigeria midfielder, John Obi Mikel says the departure of Colombian winger, Juan Cuadrado to Juventus in the summer was key to his international teammate, Victor Moses establishing himself in the Chelsea line-up this season.
Moses is enjoying a new lease of life with the Blues after spending the last three seasons on loan outside the club.
Cuadrado returned to Chelsea in the summer after spending the season on loan at Italian side, Juventus and was expected to feature consistently under manager, Antonio Conte.
But instead, he moved back to Juventus on a three- year loan deal before the end of transfer window.
Mikel who is rumoured to be on his way out of Chelsea after failing to feature for the former European champions this season believes Cuadrado's departure helped Moses to stake a claim for a regular shirt at Stamford Bridge.
"It was a key moment when (Juan) Cuadrado went back to Juventus. Victor know that as well," Mikel told The Standard.
"There was a chance Cuadrado would have had the right wing-back role instead, but he wanted to leave Chelsea.
"The situation with Cuadrado made it easier for Victor, but he had already impressed in pre-season."
Chelsea switched to a 3-4-3 formation following a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal and Moses has thrived in his new wing-back position ever since Conte adopted it.
His impressive performance for the Stamford Bridge outfit in recent games earned him the PFA Fans' player of the month award for November.
And Mikel who once played for Norwegian side Lyn Oslo can notice a change of mentality in his friend.
"This is the happiest I have seen Victor at the club," he adds.
"You can really notice the change in him at the training ground. Whereas in previous years, he could be a bit quiet, now he is making more jokes and laughing with everyone."
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