Chelsea Team News Update: Latest On Cole, Oscar, Luiz & More

Chelsea entertain Steaua Bucharest at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night looking to secure top spot in Champions League Group E.

Ahead of the game boss Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his press conference and we’ve got the latest team and injury news.

The good news is that both David Luiz and Oscar trained with the rest of the squad on Tuesday afternoon. Luiz has not featured for Chelsea for over a month due to a knee injury while Oscar picked up an ankle problem during a 3-1 win over Southampton 10 days ago.

However, the Brazilian pair are now back in training and could be in contention to face the Romanians tomorrow, but a late decision is likely to be made over their involvement.

While Mourinho failed to give any definitive answer on Luiz or Oscar taking part in the game, he did confirm that Ashley Cole will start. The 32-year-old has been forced to watch-on from the bench in recent weeks with Cesar Azpilicueta preferred at left-back since the defeat to Newcastle last month.

Mourinho took the time to not only confirm that Cole would start against Steaua, but he also praised the defender’s attitude during his time out the team. He said:

‘It’s easy to feel he’s not happy or comfortable with the situation but the way he [Cole] trains and behaves is super professional,’

‘When he’s on the bench behind me I can feel he’s there to win, even if he’s not on the pitch.

‘Sometimes, even if you’re not playing every game and are not first-choice, like he was always, it means you are not deserving of a new contract. I feel he’s fine and I think tomorrow (Wednesday) he’s going to show he’s fine.

‘Naturally, with the evolution of the season, he will play matches. Can he recover or not 100 per cent his position? I don’t know. But play, he will always play. And he will always be a good player. Naturally, he will get his contract because he’s a hell of a player for us.’

Mourinho has no fresh injury worries to contend with and also confirmed that he will shuffle his pack on Wednesday night, with some of his more senior players in-line for a well-earned rest.

‘I’m not going to play with the same team I did in the last match,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to call it rotation. Normally that comes with an idea that the team is weak and that’s not the case.

‘I will rest a couple of players. But in certain positions we have a very strong squad. I don’t like to call it rotation. We have to win. Not just to finish first but also to have the good feeling of winning at home and finishing with 12 points.’

What team do you think Jose should put out? Share your suggestions below.