Oscar

[The Mak 4,459]

Went to one of our sisterboards and checked the oscar thread...

Dear god, the oscar hatred was staggering

http://www.chelseafcforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10117&start=1080

Every forum is different I feel, and every one seems to have a general consensus. Theirs is just different. Though I do agree that he needs to be more consistent in his game and improve in the final third; let's just say they seem to have a more aggressive way of putting it.

[Barbara 15,149]

Barbara would fit right in

You would expect them, also being a 'chelsea fansite', to have a lot of common ground with us. But no, it's like they live on a completely different planet.

I have an account there too (the same name) and under 10 posts... and I had no idea that was how they talked about our players, not only Oscar.

I've resisted the temptation of answering them.

Such limited views of the game and why is it so hard for people to understand he's 22!!!!!!!! Mata was nowhere near where Oscar is in his development curve when he was 22... nowhere near being the #10 in Spain (oh wait, he still isn't at age 25), nowhere near being #10 to a club as big as Chelsea, he didn't have as much responsibility (still doesn't at age 25) to help the team in all areas, and a lot of stuff.

People get easily spoiled by wonder boys such as Messi and Hazard. That's not the rule, that's the exception, almost no 22yo is already incredible, but you can see the potential, you can see the skills, you can imagine how high their ceiling is... the vision in that forum is immediate, limited, biased and with all honesty, bitter, because their golden boy wears a different number.

I'm just relieved to know those people (here, there, on Twitter, on tumblr and whatever else) aren't the majority at the Bridge. Not sure if on purpose or not, but instead of hearing chants for Mata in the 10th minutes, they were chanting Mourinho. You could see a couple of signs about Mata, but I've seen more about Mourinho's birthday. The support that actually goes to the stadium isn't criticizing Mourinho - which I think it's important. The fans going to the matches aren't putting unnecessary pressure on Oscar.

I laughed out loud when one of the members in that forum said that if Oscar doesn't start performing like Mata, he'll be the first to ask him to be benched. LOL FOREVER, my friend, you may as well start a petition because as far as I know who benches players is Mourinho, not fans. They spoke so much shit. Oscar's passing is erratic at points, I agree, but saying he loses the ball 50% of time he has it (summing incomplete passes and dispossession) is not only ridiculous but also a lie. Saying he has no skills and class is as much ridiculous. Seriously, I don't get how people can criticize their own player to that extent unless said player is really bad. You may not like Oscar's profile, you may prefer a different kind of player, but to say he's shit, has no class, no skill, no vision, loses 50% of balls he touches and all the BS they spouted, is ridiculous.

The joke is on them though (and whoever agrees). Mourinho and Brazil NT's manager disagree with them... and they don't seem inclined to change their instances at all. But it was a good laugh mixed with a bit of anger a good reminder to never come back there

[borriske 330]

I have an account there too (the same name) and under 10 posts... and I had no idea that was how they talked about our players, not only Oscar.

I've resisted the temptation of answering them.

Such limited views of the game and why is it so hard for people to understand he's 22!!!!!!!! Mata was nowhere near where Oscar is in their development curve when he was 22... nowhere near being the #10 in Spain (oh wait, he still isn't at age 25), nowhere near being #10 to a club as big as Chelsea, he didn't have as much responsibility (still doesn't at age 25) to help the team in all areas, and a lot of stuff.

People get easily spoiled by wonder boys such as Messi and Hazard. That's not the rule, no 22yo is already incredible, but you can see the potential, you can see the skills, you can imagine how high their ceiling is... the vision in that forum is immediate, limited, biased and with all honesty, bitter, because their golden boy wears a different number.

I'm just relieved to know those people (here, there, on Twitter, on tumblr and whatever else) aren't the majority at the Bridge. Not sure if on purpose or not, but instead of hearing chants for Mata in the 10th minutes, they were chanting Mourinho. You could see a couple of signs about Mata, but I've seen more about Mourinho's birthday. The support that actually goes to the stadium isn't criticizing Mourinho - which I think it's important. The fans going to the matches aren't putting unnecessary pressure on Oscar.

I laughed out loud when one of the members in that forum said that if Oscar doesn't start performing like Mata, he'll be the first to ask him to be benched. LOL FOREVER, my friend, you may as well start a petition because as far as I know who benches players is Mourinho, not fans. They spoke so much shit. Oscar's passing is erratic at points, I agree, but saying he loses the ball 50% of time he has it (summing incomplete passes and dispossession) is not only ridiculous but also a lie. Saying he has no skills and class is as much ridiculous. Seriously, I don't get how people can criticize their own player to that extent unless said player is really bad. You may not like Oscar's profile, you may prefer a different kind of player, but to say he's shit, has no class, no skill, no vision, loses 50% of balls he touches and all the BS they spouted, is ridiculous.

The joke is on them though (and whoever agrees). Mourinho and Brazil NT's manager disagree with them... and they don't seem inclined to change their instances at all. But it was a good laugh mixed with a bit of anger a good reminder to never come back there

Thanks Barbara, you never disappoint.

[Barbara 15,149]

'The free-kick obviously makes us happy because Oscar dedicates some time every day after the normal training session to train on a specific thing"

Mourinho after the match. That's the kind of thing I really appreciate in a player. When they stay after training sessions to try to improve personal skills. I had no idea Oscar does it. He's mentioned in the interview, but I was under the impression he meant free-kicks, but Mourinho makes is sound like he's trying to improve different (specific) aspects of his game.

Hats off, kiddo.

on a different note for BBC 5 Live:

"I like people to be happy. I'm so sorry I couldn't make him happy in this squad - I'm so sad with that, but I build my team around Oscar playing as my No.10."

[Blue Armour 4,323]

He is like a fish out of water. Chelsea TV needs to stop torturing him with the interviews!

Haha...I remember Oscar's first interview with Neil Barnett, when he had Piazon alongside him to translate...Oscar told Piazon to just say anything to Neil and get done with it asap...

[Barbara 15,149]

Found this in another forum (well, after I checked that one I checked the other three I'm a member, but haven't been on in months)
According to the posters, the source is The Sunday Times on Jan 19th.

Oscar's season

Chelsea’s Brazilian ace aims to punch above his weight today


NO, OSCAR says, he never gets tired. For a rare moment the barriers of diffidence drop, eyes rise to make contact and he risks a quip. “You can’t tire under Mourinho,” this shy Brazilian laughs. “He demands . . . a lot.” Our talk (through an interpreter) is strewn with words such as “team”, “pragmatic” and, especially, “winning”. A demanding business, modern football. Even wizards must be water-carriers.

Still wondering why Jose Mourinho shifted Juan Mata out of Chelsea’s No 10 role? It may be less to do with the Spaniard than with the manager’s dream who replaced him. Meet Oscar: Brazilian No 10, updated model. He gets on the ball and gets his goals. He also gets stuck in.

“The sight of dribbling in a match is something we saw a lot of from Ronaldinho. He put on a show,” says Oscar, reflecting on how his specialist position has changed. “But now football is more about winning games and it’s a lot more difficult to play like that.

“If you lose the ball in the wrong position that’s a very big error. I’m playing in England, where the game is so dynamic it can happen so easily — if you lose the ball the other team can score and that’s what we have to avoid.” Equally, “[pressing] is really important. If I can steal the ball, particularly in the opposition half, this is something I love to do. It’s a strong point of my game.” He says he doesn’t look at stats, but Mourinho does. There, in the numbers, is Oscar’s rarity value, his value to any team he graces. How many playmakers put in such shifts? No Chelsea footballer apart from Ramires has made more tackles in 2013-14 than Oscar. Mata challenges for the ball every 59.6 minutes he plays, Oscar every 24.6 minutes. Mata has made two clearances, the Brazilian 11.

Chelsea’s other attacking midfielders trail in his workaholic wake. Combined, the tackles total for Andre Schurrle, Willian and Eden Hazard only just creeps above Oscar’s tally. Yet he retains attacking and creative potency. Only Hazard has outscored him and had more dribbles. Only Mata makes more crosses.

In a Mourinho team, where flair must be balanced by effort, where transitions — when teams win the ball and counter — are all-important, an Oscar is invaluable. In person, he seems a spindly and awkward teenager, not a spiky harrier of opposing defensive players (witness a recent spat with a friend, Liverpool’s Lucas). His shoulders are the same width as one of Branislav Ivanovic’s thighs. He grins. “Everyone says I’m slim — but I can put myself about.”

What’s interesting is that he didn’t become The Good Team Man to compensate for lack of individual talent. He’s technically superb, a prodigy who scored the first hat-trick in an Under-20 World Cup final. His second goal versus Juventus, in his first Chelsea start 16 months ago, showcased exceptional ability: touch, turn, top corner, with Andrea Pirlo and Gigi Buffon left helpless. He’s only 10st 6lb and aged 22 but, for a home World Cup, Luiz Felipe Scolari trusts him in Brazil’s most iconic role.

“My colleagues in the Selecao say I play in the Brazilian style, but with a touch of English. Especially with regard to my tackling and marking,” Oscar says. “I was always someone who started with a high technical level but [in the Premier League] you need other qualities to succeed and I’ve been adapting my game. In Brazil, players love to do tricks. I arrived at Chelsea with that mentality — but you start to realise how important the more pragmatic side of the game is.”

Mourinho and Rafa Benitez, who loved him for similar reasons, have encouraged this mindset. It has also evolved from how Oscar sees the game. “I love to win. A match where I’ve scored two goals and lost, I don’t think it’s a success. For that reason I make sure I do my work and the individual aspect comes second.” He talks approvingly of Scolari reviving the Selecao by strengthening their “defensive commitment”. Most compatriots of his generation idolised Ronaldinho but he preferred Kaka, that most European of Brazil’s icons. Like Oscar, Kaka is from Sao Paulo state and places efficiency, not beauty, at the heart of his football. “He made it look easy,” Oscar says.

He is thought to be one of Roman Abramovich’s favourites. He’s certainly a model employee. Being the star is not his objective; he’s happy with supporting actor Oscar. Now Mourinho is using him centrally and not wide, or even deep, where he played under Benitez and Roberto Di Matteo. “I’m really enjoying having a similar role with Chelsea as with Brazil.

“I need to all the time be speaking with Hazard, Mata, Willian, Schurrle. These are great attacking players and maybe my defensive aspect has developed a bit more and can work in harmony with them.”

He agrees he needs to start scoring at Hazard’s rate, though he’s not jealous of the praise heaped on the Belgian. “Hazard has some incredible talents, especially his dribbling, but for me the most important thing is how we complement each other. Footballers are all different. Hazard can produce some amazing things on the counterattack but I can help him with that if it’s me who has won the ball for him.”

All this, of course, delights the Special One. “You always want to speak with Mourinho,” Oscar says. “He’s very good at knowing the talents of his players. I’m making sure I’m taking the very most I can out of my time with him.”

Today a different Chelsea face Manchester United from the uncertain side who were happy to draw 0-0 at Old Trafford in August. “Chelsea are a project that’s been developing a lot and growing. The time we played Man United it was still quite new. We have the personality of a Mourinho team now. We’re playing very well collectively, we’re not conceding and with that is coming victories. We’ve got difficult rivals but you have to remember we beat Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. So we’re going to keep fighting, regardless of whether we’re favourite [for the title]. We’re certainly in with a chance of winning it.”

He speaks of impending fatherhood — his wife, Ludmila, a Japanese-Brazilian, is pregnant. “It’s fantastic about the baby and I’m thinking that [added to the World Cup and Chelsea’s progress] this is a special year for me.” He admits being mature before his time, on and off the field, different from his extrovert friend David Luiz. “But everyone’s different to David Luiz,” he points out. “I’m more like Ramires — but we like to joke about, too.” Ramires predicts, one day, Oscar will win the Ballon D’Or. Kaka did it. Oscar may be quiet but his confidence is considerable and he’s unafraid to aim that high. “Right now, I’m playing for one of the biggest clubs, having a very good season and I’m sure if I continue winning things with Chelsea and win things for Brazil then one day such a prize might be within my grasp. Hazard’s, too.

“Who knows, if I keep developing and working hard?”

Oscar is supporting Right To Play’s 5k run in Battersea Park on May 16. Sign up to the run at www.righttoplay.com/kickoff5k

In all honesty... how can one not love Oscar? His so smart and he's mature and down to earth on his declarations (in portuguese where it doesn't feel like he'll have a combustion, lol).

The way he talks about Hazard, his role and how he expects to evolve is amazing. I love the kid

[Chelsea? 892]

gotta be honest: If Oscar doesn't score a goal he's pretty much useless offensively. I just see him as a Ramirez with slightly better passing and finishing. It's just something about his style of play that makes me wish he were more influential in our build up play. I do think he fits better in our system than Mata though.

[Cech's helmet 220]

gotta be honest: If Oscar doesn't score a goal he's pretty much useless offensively. I just see him as a Ramirez with slightly better passing and finishing. It's just something about his style of play that makes me wish he were more influential in our build up play. I do think he fits better in our system than Mata though.

This is the guy who makes the most tackles/wins the ball back in the team with Ramires, and he's useless when he doesn't score? his work rate and stamina are immense, out of this world for an offensive player. he's not your typical flashy number 10, he's a workaholic and more of a direct player than the likes of Mata/Ozil/Silva who like to keep the ball between their feet. he does the job.

If everyone in our team works as hard as Oscar does in our team, we would dominate.

[Term-X 7,891]

Premier League history makers, the only club to successfully integrate Brazilian players *plural* to this scale, UTD tried and failed, we're the first.

And considering the impact that particular nation has made on football since it's inception, it can only enrich the PL further.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Its one thing that bothers me...he is hardworker and tries to run whole game, but after 65min or sth, he starts to look tired and that reflects on his playmaking abilities. Thats why we start to lose control and composure of the game.

Sure in couple of years, his stamina will improve though.

Another thing is that he is oftenly very invisible at playmaking. He tracks and runs, but he just isnt creative. He was quite bad vs Stoke before he scored that goal. After, hw was amazing. Good thing he is only 22 and has time to understand the game and improve.

[AswinR 96]

gotta be honest: If Oscar doesn't score a goal he's pretty much useless offensively. I just see him as a Ramirez with slightly better passing and finishing. It's just something about his style of play that makes me wish he were more influential in our build up play. I do think he fits better in our system than Mata though.

You joking right!! mata is world class agreed but that doesnt mean oscar isnt too!!

I keep hearing oscar cant pass and dribble....You need to remember .....last season oscar had quite a few brilliant dribbles but now the team style has changed

With RDM the front 4 had no contact with back 4(it was always 4-1-4.)..they worked as 2 units now u see a team defending with 4-5-1 and attacking with 4-1-5 ...imagine how difficult that is....

Mata did try and he wasnt that bad but he got outmuscled quite a few times and he doesnt know how to tackle.....

Oscar challenges for the ball and creates opportunities(infact i remember 2 great crosses beofre the freekick in last match that would have been scored by a better striker!!)...yes sometimes his passes are not that great but did you see the reaction of stoke everytime he got the ball....to instill that kind of panic mode is gift from god...remember watching lampard at his best....

and for god sake he is 22!!!

and like ramires with better passing and finishing....was that a dig or a compliment?!!-apparently a player with excellent technical ability and with great finishing and pace and with added gifts of good passing and skills not good enough!!!

We all loved mata but get over it...oscar is just as important as hazard to this team

[TrippingStep 336]

It's kinda funny that during the freekick, I think I had a moment when I thought how cool it would've been had Mata been the one taking it. And then that happened.

It all goes to show how blinded we've become for our little magician. There's no denying Mata's talent and awesomeness, I love that guy. Perhaps even more than I do Oscar. But I hope we finally come back to our senses to realize that Oscar is the one who is our future. Mata is brilliant, of course, but Oscar can be even more so (if not already). Mourinho is like the strict but loving father in this case. He takes the tough decision, and does the thing that has made us upset, but in the end it's for our benefit.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm so excited about our players! Oscar, Hazard, Willian, Matic...even Salah all look oh so good for this team. I'm glad Mata is at a place where he can play now, and that the pressure on our manager and entire squad has been lifted because of this move.

That free kick, I think, is just a sign of things to come. Oscar is going to be even more fantastic for us, God willing. I can feel it.

Me I've always liked Oscar more than Mata.

Don't get me wrong, Mata is a good player but like Cole at Lille, he was good at giving the ball back to his run but other players have to make the run, carry the ball for him.

Last year Mata had an excellent year but look at the support Mata had when he was drifting to the right. All three of our most hard working players Ramires, Azpi, Oscar were there or drifting there. Mata couldn't have more support.

Look at the left side, Cole Lampard or Mikel, the slowest and less running players.

Against Shaktar, the only good periods we had was when Oscar and Hazard were working together on the left. No wonder that Jose Mourinho prefers these two to Mata.

I wasn't found of Mourinho in the beginning of the season but not because of Mata treatment, more because we were playing very poorly, slow at the back at that time.

[Milan 17,862]

Our Brazilians

[TrippingStep 336]

Our Brazilians

Luiz is Averell Dalton

[Chelsea? 892]

You joking right!! mata is world class agreed but that doesnt mean oscar isnt too!!

I keep hearing oscar cant pass and dribble....You need to remember .....last season oscar had quite a few brilliant dribbles but now the team style has changed

With RDM the front 4 had no contact with back 4(it was always 4-1-4.)..they worked as 2 units now u see a team defending with 4-5-1 and attacking with 4-1-5 ...imagine how difficult that is....

Mata did try and he wasnt that bad but he got outmuscled quite a few times and he doesnt know how to tackle.....

Oscar challenges for the ball and creates opportunities(infact i remember 2 great crosses beofre the freekick in last match that would have been scored by a better striker!!)...yes sometimes his passes are not that great but did you see the reaction of stoke everytime he got the ball....to instill that kind of panic mode is gift from god...remember watching lampard at his best....

and for god sake he is 22!!!

and like ramires with better passing and finishing....was that a dig or a compliment?!!-apparently a player with excellent technical ability and with great finishing and pace and with added gifts of good passing and skills not good enough!!!

We all loved mata but get over it...oscar is just as important as hazard to this team

yea you pretty much said what I was saying. I never mentioned Oscar's dribbling as a problem. When was the last brilliant pass he made? Like I said, he is better for the system due to his work rate and directness, but his vision and passing is average.

Idk why the Oscar fanboys have to defend every ability of Oscar's.

[Chelsea? 892]

This is the guy who makes the most tackles/wins the ball back in the team with Ramires, and he's useless when he doesn't score? his work rate and stamina are immense, out of this world for an offensive player. he's not your typical flashy number 10, he's a workaholic and more of a direct player than the likes of Mata/Ozil/Silva who like to keep the ball between their feet. he does the job.

If everyone in our team works as hard as Oscar does in our team, we would dominate.

I mean useless offensively. 20 assists> 100 tackles in the middle of the field.

[yuvala 2,167]

I mean useless offensively. 20 assists> 100 tackles in the middle of the field.

I get what you're saying but we have to understand that Oscar works brilliantly in our well-balanced, high-workrate pressing system. Even without the 20 assists we are able to control and win games. It's the same as where we don't have a real goal scorer but due to our system and everyone doing their job we're able to win.

Obviously if Oscar had Mata's passes it would have been crazy, but no one is perfect.. Except for Hazard, ofc.

We also have to remember that Oscar is young and I'm sure he can improve his passing to some extent.

[Chelsea? 892]

I get what you're saying but we have to understand that Oscar works brilliantly in our well-balanced, high-workrate pressing system. Even without the 20 assists we are able to control and win games. It's the same as where we don't have a real goal scorer but due to our system and everyone doing their job we're able to win.

Obviously if Oscar had Mata's passes it would have been crazy, but no one is perfect.. Except for Hazard, ofc.

We also have to remember that Oscar is young and I'm sure he can improve his passing to some extent.

totally agree, under Jose I'd take oscar over Mata any day.