Oscar: Chelsea determined for Club World Cup success

Chelsea midfielder Oscar believes the Club World Cup is no meaningless exercise and is determined to return to Stamford Bridge with the trophy.

The Blues kick off their tournament at the semi-final stage against Mexican outfit Monterrey and, if victorious, will face either Egypt’s Al Ahly or Brazil’s Corinthians in next Sunday’s final at the International Stadium in Yokohama.

The tournament has been derided in some quarters due to its mid-season timing and choice of Japan as the location.

But the Brazil international insists this will not stop both him and his team-mates from putting in every effort to join Manchester United as the second English winner of the tournament.

“For Chelsea, we are representing Europe and we are going there with a determination to do it well,” the 21-year-old told World Soccer Digest.

“We are going to try to win this competition this year. Every title is important for Chelsea. If we win it, it is going to give us so much more confidence and strength for the rest of the season.”

The ex-Internacional schemer, who has scored five goals in 19 appearances for his new club so far this season, believes that outside of England, and particularly in South America, the competition holds far greater prestige.

“In Brazil, this has always been seen as the opportunity for our clubs to play one of the big European teams,” he said.

“It’s the chance to test themselves against a big team from Europe and to go and show their football to the world. For years, it was the only way they could face a stronger team, a different team from a different culture.

“The South American teams have always taken this competition seriously but I think all the big clubs will go to Japan this year and give everything.”

This year will mark Oscar’s second taste of the Club World Cup, after previously failing to reach the final with Internacional in 2010 following defeat in the semi-finals to African side TP Mazembe, a disappointment that he believes will help him spur him to the challenge of making Chelsea world champions.

“We were all expecting to get to the final and it was such a big surprise when we lost. I’m pleased to have this second opportunity,” he said.