You don't need to say anything to your boss that you deserve to be a good leader ...your clients will promote you to your boss without needing to be asked, because they know exactly how you are doing in completing that project. Everything your client says will be very influential on your boss and whatever you say to your boss does not necessarily affect him ... if at that time your boss receives a lot of recommendations from clients and he believes in them, then please hold your breath.....and prepare to accept a big job......high position......and that makes you Larger Than Life