Chelsea Boosted In Brazilian Starlet Chase

Chelsea signing Oscar has admitted that he is hoping to convince Neymar to join the west London club, with the starlet hoping he can have his Brazilian teammate on side in the Premier League.

Neymar was often connected to a move to the Blues, particularly while Carlo Ancelotti was in charge of the side.

But a move never materialised, and Barcelona and Real Madrid quickly overtook Chelsea as favourites to sign the star.

At one stage reports were claiming that Neymar had already agreed a deal with one of the Spanish clubs, and Chelsea was completely out of the race - but Oscar has revealed that his decision hasn't been made yet over where to go when his contract runs out after the 2014 World Cup.

"While we are in London, I have been telling Neymar about the ambition of Chelsea," he told The People. "When the time comes for him to join a European club, I hope I can persuade him."

Oscar was highly coveted by a group of clubs as the summer rolled around, and the 20 year old says that his decision to join Chelsea was an easy one to make.

"When my agent told me that Chelsea were interested it was not something I even needed to think about," he explained. "They are the champions of Europe, but they are still showing so much ambition by improving the squad.

"To win the European Cup and still sign guys like myself and Eden Hazard shows you the ambition the owner and manager have.

"With the squad we have I will be looking at winning the Premier League title and also the Champions League.

"I know it is very difficult to win [the Champions League] twice in a row and even Barcelona could not do it, but with what Chelsea have in place it is very possible."

For Chelsea, the task of getting back into the top four will be a difficult one, and Roman Abramovich will accept no less from now-permanent manager Roberto Di Matteo than a guaranteed place in the Champions League, even if the Blues can win the trophy for a second year running.