Oscar: No CL Could Help Chelsea  (Sky Sports)

Oscar says not being in Europe this season could aid Chelsea in their quest for the Premier League title.

The Brazilian, who started in Chelsea's opening-day win over West Ham on Monday Night Football, was part of the Blues side that struggled last season as champions, finishing 10th.

It means no Champions League or Europa League travels for Antonio Conte's new side, and midfielder Oscar told Sky Sports that while Chelsea's European achievements remain important, the freed-up schedule could be beneficial.

"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.

"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 means spirits are high at Stamford Bridge ahead of the trip to Watford on Saturday.

Oscar says the Italian's intensity in training was "scary" at first, and insists 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."