There's a certain boldness in asking a question about knocks during a press conference dominated by the "disagreement" between Jose Mourinho and two members of his medical staff, but it's a standard line of questioning and one that brings a welcome focus on more actual football-oriented matters. Even if the answer isn't all sunshine and lollipops.

Jose: 'Oscar is a doubt, he had a little injury in training. Courtois is suspended, apart from that it's all good.' #CFC — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 14, 2015

Obviously we knew about Courtois's suspension already, and Begovic's performance last weekend should give us plenty of confidence still in our goalkeeping situation, but the "little" injury to Oscar is new and a bit concerning. The young man is key to Chelsea playing at our best. He had a great game last weekend, and was looking to make another fast start to a season after a full summer's worth of rest. Hopefully the injury, about which we have no further detail at this time, is indeed just something minor and short-term.

While there was always a chance that Mourinho would select Ramires to start instead anyway, just as he has every time we've visited the Etihad in the last two seasons (twice in the league and once in the FA Cup), this now looks a much more distinct possibility once again.