Brazilians Oscar and Willian have taken some time to put the nightmare of last summer behind them. The demoralising World Cup that ended in the shambles of a 7-1 semi-final thrashing by Germany, will still haunt the Chelsea stars for some time to come.
However, Jose Mourinho now believes they are both well on the way to recovery, following what must have been nothing short of a humiliation in front of their home fans. The mental scars would have been profound.
The Portuguese mastermind was in typical philosophical mood:
‘Everyone that came back from the Brazil national team came without having a proper holiday and a proper pre-season,’ he said.
‘They have not had enough time to start the season in a strong way. All of them have been coming back step by step. Now they are getting into the intensity of the Premier League.
‘It was not about that match. Some of them now even make fun about it between them. The World Cup is history.
‘It is more physical. Players need holidays. The next pre-season will be even worse, because there will be international matches. For a World Cup some teams don’t qualify; for the international fixtures,every player goes.’
Unfortunately for Mourinho, and many other Premier League managers, there will be a Copa America held in Chile next Summer. All the top South Americans will be on their way to that one.
‘I don’t even speak about that. I’m trying to forget it,” Mourinho added. “If not I will sell all the South American players.’
Willan, who provided the telling pass for Oscar’s seventh minute opener against Aston Villa at the weekend, having also scored against Bolton in midweek, said:
‘I am feeling good now. I have had time. The manager told me that he has a lot of players, so I did not play against Manchester City or Schalke.
‘But then I started against Bolton and today, and I played well because I am not tired.
‘I have forgotten the World Cup. I’m okay now. I played well in the first couple of games back, I didn’t score, but now I have and I am more confident.
‘I have scored two goals, but I want to score 15 this season. That would be good.’
The Samba beat can be heard all over West London once again. Chelsea fans may even fancy a little dance.
Written by Michael Horne
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