Antonio Conte tells Moses to ignore Barcelona rumours

Victor Moses has been told focus on his football with Chelsea after being scouted by Barcelona since his move to right wing-back.

The Nigeria international has been a revelation for Chelsea this season after Antonio Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation, but that has prompted rival clubs to show an interest in his services.

Conte wouldn't be drawn on whether Chelsea would be ready to offer Moses a new deal to ward off interest, but he was emphatic about his desire for his players to not lose focus during their impressive six-match winning run.

“For everything [regarding contracts], there is the right time to speak,” Conte told a press conference at Cobham Training Centre. "About Victor, I repeat, it's important to be focused on the present. It's important to be focused game by game.

"Now we are doing very well. But, for me, I don't want to think that my players see 'so long' (into the future). I like to think my players are focused on the present, not the future so long-term.

We have just started in this league and, after a period, two bad defeats, we won six games in a row. This is important, now, to continue this. To be focused, to work for the present. Not to look at the future.”

John Obi Mikel is Moses's captain for the Nigeria national team, and Chelsea's longest-serving player, but has yet to make an appearance for Chelsea this season in any competition.

Conte confirmed Mikel will miss Chelsea's game with Tottenham on Saturday through a muscular injury, but refused to deny that he will allow the 29-year-old midfielder to find another club in January.  

“I don't know, I don't know what will happen in January," added Conte. "Now, I know for sure that I have a squad of players and I'm very happy to have them. In January, we'll see.”