Chelsea star Oscar has said that not being in the Champions League and the Europa League this season could aid his side in their quest for the English Premier League football title.
The Brazilian, who started in Chelsea's opening day 2-1 win over West Ham United, was part of the side that struggled last season as the defending champions, finishing a poor 10th.
"I believe it could be an advantage not being in the Champions League this season, but we also know the Champions League has been a very important factor for this club, at least for the four years I have been here," Oscar was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Thursday.
"This season we have focus on the league as the main objective, and I think it could be beneficial. It's been a very good start. We had a very good pre-season, and in the first game we did well."
"It's a change, it's different, and Conte is a very good coach, a very good guy. Every coach is different to one another and we're playing slightly different style, but we enjoy it, and we're hoping to have a very good season."
Conte's winning start to the campaign meant spirits are high at Chelsea ahead of the trip to Watford on Saturday.
Oscar said the Italian coach's intensity in training was "scary" at first, and insisted the one aim for Chelsea is to be champions again this season.
"At the beginning it was a bit scary because he works players initially, but when you look at the results on the pitch you know he's done it for a reason. It's good for me. Last season we didn't have a very good start, and eventually when we tried to revert the situation it was too late to reach the top spot."
"When you look at the season we were champions we had a very strong start to the season, and we ended up champions. It's important to have a good start. Definitely the aim is to be champions. We have a good team and we have the players as well to make us champions, we just have to focus on what we're doing, we have to concentrate," Oscar added.
--IANS
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