Oscar

[Spike 12,049]

You could have Luiz as a libero sweeper, Beckenbauer style.

I admit it would be awesome to see that buuuut (there is always a bloody but) the sweeper/libero roles have been made redundant due to the change of the offside rule in the 90s and the rise of the defensive midfielder. Though I suppose the modern day sweeper/libero would be used in the a 3 man defence acting as the more forward thinking and attacking minded of the three.

I'd prefer the return of totaalvoetball...

[Barbara 15,149]

I used the image in an article, but I suppose not everyone reads those, so I'm posting the charts in the players' thread for those who might be interested.

The green and blue correspond the players's movement without the ball, the yellow corresponds to tackles, interceptions and prompt passes and the red ball possession

[Barbara 15,149]

When RDM threw him into the Juve game he was at the top of his game -now the fat waiter is slowly destroying him

I've been reading this thread for the past couple of days, from page one (plan to do the same with Eden's) and that's one of the most accurate comments I've read here.

Benitez didn't value Oscar and his amazing skills enough, played him badly, frustrated him (I read some comment about him moaning about Benitez, had no idea it happened, but it doesn't surprise me) and consequently deterred the progress he'd started to do under RDM. As if I didn't have enough reasons to deeply dislike Benitez.

Watch the boy become one of our very best, if not the best, under Mourinho's management.

And I've read so many posts begging him to be played a DLP or in the pivot. I do hope Mou has a different plan (I suspect he does). The guy is perfect as a AM who tackles and intercepts more balls than the other 3 most advanced players we have. That's what makes him remarkable as a #10, not what would potentially make him a great #8 or #6. Why turn him into something he's not fit to just because as an attacking midfielder he excels in tackling and intercepting? That kind of reasoning will never make sense in my head! You take the guy from the position he shines not only for the great talent and intelligence he has, but also because he added defensive skills to his portfolio and that makes him a more complete AM than Mata and Hazard, and because of that move him to the pivot?

So I hope we play him mostly as a CAM and Eden as LW and Mata wherever and if Schurrle is as good as people make him to be, then I can see Oscar rotating with Mata and Shirley himself, until he - Oscar - is the one they're rotating with, which I have no doubt will happen.

He isn't our best player imo (neither is Mata for that matter) and he isn't my favorite player, but he has potential to be both things.

now I'll continue to read as I'm still on page 91

[wj818 25]

It has nothing to do with not having balls, the 'new' offside rule completely killed any possibility of playing with a libero...

Could you further explain, why or how ???

[Rmpr 8,977]

Could you further explain, why or how ???

Yes, no problem!

At first, the offside rule was for the last three men of defense, meaning there had to be the goalkeeper and two more defenders ahead of the opposition's player for him not to be offside. With that, the libero was an excellent and important position, because even if he was the last player ahead of the keeper, the other team's striker would still be offside!

However, in the late 80s or early 90s, that was changed to two players. Which totally fucked up with the libero...

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

Yes, no problem!

At first, the offside rule was for the last three men of defense, meaning there had to be the goalkeeper and two more defenders ahead of the opposition's player not to be offside. With that, the libero was an excellent and important position, because even if he was the last player ahead of the keeper, the other team's striker would still be offside!

However, in the latw 80s and/or early 90s, that was changed to two players. Which totally fucks up with the libero...

Exactly. R.I.P. libero. Still some very defensive coaches like Hans Meier still implemented a 2 libero system in the 21st century, which was mainly like a system with 6 defenders. The libero movement was rather horicontal than vertical, so they could help out either cbs, mids or fullbacks. But, as they only played with 3 mids and one striker, the two liberos sometimes surprisingly joined attack. It earned Gladbach and Nürnberg some famous draws in Munich and Schalke.

The libero is maybe not the best idea. But Luiz could play next to de Rossi. This could be amazing. Two players as aggressive as these two would scare the shit out of every opposition.

[DanishBlue 426]

Both of them would have what it takes defensive wise but wouldn't we miss a bit up the field with DDR and Luiz? I know De Rossi is good at passing but would it be enough for a pivot with those guys?

[wj818 25]

Yes, no problem!

At first, the offside rule was for the last three men of defense, meaning there had to be the goalkeeper and two more defenders ahead of the opposition's player for him not to be offside. With that, the libero was an excellent and important position, because even if he was the last player ahead of the keeper, the other team's striker would still be offside!

However, in the late 80s or early 90s, that was changed to two players. Which totally fucked up with the libero...

Thanx for the info

[mediator 2,026]

http://www.eplindex.com/34808/best-position-oscar-season-13-13-chelsea.html

[meetdoscar 335]

http://www.eplindex.com/34808/best-position-oscar-season-13-13-chelsea.html

Nice read. But the fact still remains that oscar's best position is a free role at the no. 10 position, however mata is d matter and i see no reason why oscar can't be understudy to mata. Such is the situation with Xavi over an experienced fabregas at barcelona. So i think the same should suffice for Mata/Oscar. As mourinho says we need competition for all positions.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

The problem is what if Mourniho favours a 4-3-3 formation. It kind of isolates him as that would mean playing as a direct winger or force to go in central midfield where he has never really played.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

The problem is what if Mourniho favours a 4-3-3 formation. It kind of isolates him as that would mean playing as a direct winger or force to go in central midfield where he has never really played.

CM in a 4-3-3 will suit oscar perfectly as he will have extra bodies by his side to give him freedom to roam

[Styles 9,790]

The problem is what if Mourniho favours a 4-3-3 formation. It kind of isolates him as that would mean playing as a direct winger or force to go in central midfield where he has never really played.

He would play as the most advanced midfielder in the 3, like how Lampard used to play it. If anything the 4-3-3 is ideal for Oscar.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

CM in a 4-3-3 will suit oscar perfectly as he will have extra bodies by his side to give him freedom to roam

But you'd be taking away his main assets which are his ability on the ball and his passing in the final third. Playing Oscar in a 4-3-3 would turn it back into a 4-2-3-1 because naturally he likes to have the ball on his feet at the edge of the box.

[TrippingStep 336]

But you'd be taking away his main assets which are his ability on the ball and his passing in the final third. Playing Oscar in a 4-3-3 would turn it back into a 4-2-3-1 because naturally he likes to have the ball on his feet at the edge of the box.

I disagree. His main asset is his movements and engine that enable a good flow to the team in possesion and he's very good coming from behind into the spaces that the more offensive players have created.

At least that was what I was seeing when he was the boss of his team in the young brazilian team in the olympics.

He was the guy linking the play between the wingbacks and midfield with very interesting late runs in the box.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,533]

Oscar is a tempo setter in midfield.he imo has arguably the best football IQ in our squad.I would just put him in the team and give him a free role to go where he wants as 1) he reads the game so superbly and 2) he can be trusted to do what is best for the team and not just his own personal goals.

[meetdoscar 335]

^^^^spot on. Oscar is quite a complete team and individual player.

[The Skipper 20,609]

But you'd be taking away his main assets which are his ability on the ball and his passing in the final third. Playing Oscar in a 4-3-3 would turn it back into a 4-2-3-1 because naturally he likes to have the ball on his feet at the edge of the box.

That isn't true. Oscar likes to drop deep when he's playing at 10. He's almost everywhere - a 4-3-3 as the most advanced midfielder could easily suit him.

[communicate 2,703]

The problem is what if Mourniho favours a 4-3-3 formation. It kind of isolates him as that would mean playing as a direct winger or force to go in central midfield where he has never really played.

I don't see that. I think we are going to play 4231.

Not sure why do you want to play 433 when you have oscar,mata,hazard,schurle

[CHOULO19 24,332]

That isn't true. Oscar likes to drop deep when he's playing at 10. He's almost everywhere - a 4-3-3 as the most advanced midfielder could easily suit him.

BUt you realize he won't just attack but will have to defend as well, right? Everyone seems to forget that for some reason. Do you really want Oscar defending in central midfield where most of the fighting for the ball happens? He simply does not have the strength or defending ability to do so. Also on the attacking side, playing in that crowded midfield area means Oscar will have a lot less time and space on the ball as opposed to playing in the hole like he does for Brazil; even if he sometimes drops to receive the ball, he will mostly have that ball on his feet in that hole where he can dribble at the defenders or slip a pass behind them.