Oscar believes Chelsea need more than just a victory in the Champions League to turn the tide this season, saying confidence will return when José Mourinho’s side win two or three games in the league.
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However, Costa failed to improve on a record of only four goals in 19 games and has admitted he must get better.
The challenge wasn’t a malicious one, but it did prompt an angry reaction from the former Real Madrid goalkeeper.
Iker Casillas has shrugged off criticism seemingly aimed at him by the official Chelsea website in the build-up to the Champions League clash between Porto and the Blues on 9 December. “I made a mistake, but my relationship with Mourinho is unbelievable, we get on really well”, Costa told Onda Cero. And a fit, hungry Costa improves this whole team. “There is a lack of confidence, clearly, but his attitude was very good and his movement was much better, so goals are coming”.
Chelsea can meet Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven, Benfica, Juventus, Roma or Gent in the next round and Mourinho accepts that many clubs would gladly settle for a tie against the London club.
Next up are Leicester City, the league leaders, but if Mourinho and his team could figure out and neutralize Julen Lopetegui’s Porto, it’s not unreasonable to think that we could do the same to contain Mahrez, Vardy and the rest of Claudio Ranieri’s squad.
Chelsea might have been one of favorites to win the Champions League at the start of the season, but their recent woes have made them the underdogs going into the round of 16.
But his form has led to suggestions Chelsea are in the market for a new striker, while he has often been linked with a return to Spain.
“It seems the English media want me to leave England as soon as possible”. Costa’s clever, selfless running without the ball was what helped Chelsea to open up opponents when they stormed their way to the title this time previous year. But the truth is that I’m happy here.
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While there is no such thing as a straightforward European tie but based on current form these teams would certainly like their chances against the Blues. “He is happy, very happy, at the moment, though”.
