Nigeria Player of the Year Victor Moses was a non-playing substitute in Chelsea's 2-1 victory over his former club Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

The Blues Italian manager Antonio Conte opted to start summer signing Davide Zappacosta at right wing-back ahead of the Super Eagles star.

This is the first time this season Moses has not started a Premier League match before Chelsea trade tackles with an opponent in the Champions League, when he is not injured.

The 27-year-old was named in the starting line-up against Leicester City (September 9) before Chelsea's opening Champions League fixture against Qarabağ, and went the full ninety vs Stoke City before the Blues faced Atlético Madrid at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on September 27, 2017.

He missed the Premier League games against Bournemouth (Oct 28) and West Brom (Nov 18) before Chelsea's meeting with Roma and Qarabag respectively simply because he was still recovering from a hamstring complaint.

In the weekend preceding the return fixture vs Atlético Madrid, Moses played the full game against Newcastle United.

The number fifteen has been involved in 27 games in all competitions this term, scoring 3 goals while providing 2 assists.

Chelsea face Barcelona in the Champions League round of sixteen, second leg at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, March 14.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com