Mourinho: A team of Azpilicuetas would win the Champions League

Azpilicueta, signed from Marseille in 2012, has been a mainstay in the Chelsea team this term under Mourinho and has made the left-back spot his own at the expense of Ashley Cole.

“Azpilicueta, this is the kind of player I like a lot,” said the Portuguese.

However, it is not just the Spanish international’s footballing talent that impresses the former Real Madrid coach.

“I think a team with 11 Azpilicuetas would probably win the competition [Champions League] because football is not just about the pure talent,” added Mourinho.

“Football is also about character and personality and Azpilicueta has all the traces of that winning personality.”

High praise indeed, but the “Special One” also had words of encouragement for another Chelsea star, Oscar.

“He [Oscar] has a fantastic talent, he plays his second year in Chelsea, he players more or less second year also in the Brazilian national team so he is coming step by step.”

Oscar’s form has been such this season that Juan Mata, who had been crowned the club’s player of the season in the preceding two years, could not force his way into the team and eventually moved to Manchester United.

However, Mourinho is always looking for improvement from his players and Oscar is no different.

“Physically he needs time to put himself in a top condition.

“Tactically he is a very open boy that wants very much to learn.”