Oscar

[BlueLion. 21,491]

But it was Willian who played in his position.

I think because he has stronger legs and has a very good connection with Hazard to start the counter-attacks.

Well, Rambo was put into the 3 behind the striker, with Hazard staying left, and Willian being pushed central to accommodate Ramires on the right. Oscar was left out of the three and Ramires came in to replace him, so strictly speaking he did indeed play instead of Oscar. But again, I'm not getting hung up on the what-ifs, buts and maybes, but I do take your point! José's decision not to play Oscar was vindicated, but he did a good job when he came on, everyone saw that, so people saying we played our best football without him should also acknowledge we played without Torres, Lampard, Mikel, Cole, Schurrle, Salah, etc. etc. We have a squad for a reason!

[Joshybizzle 109]

Oscar. I really didn't see this guy coming, i remember reading something about Tottenham being in for a 21 year old Brazilian wonder kid so i'm pretty sure i did what we all do.. I watched a youtube compilation. From what i saw there wasn't any denying the kid was a class act, especially when it came to the odd spectacular goal, then the next thing i know we've signed him and he's got the number 11 shirt (i thought it would take a while to find a worthy candidate) i wasn't complaining understandably!

I wasn't expecting him to get nearly as much time in the team, for instance last seasons (international friendlies and whatnot considered) he made 80 appearances over the 12/13 season, which is massive for a 21 year old! He ended up making 34 appearances in the Premier League racking up 4 goals and laying on 7 assist in his debut season. This was all while still adjusting to the league and the physicality which he seemed to struggle with a little at first, but those are pretty good numbers mixed in with some eye catching performances, that goal against Juventus anyone? That made me get out of my seat!

Keeping in mind he hasn't really had time to adjust to any specific role in the team yet having played in varying systems under 3 managers in under 2 years, just because he's playing in the number 10 role doesn't mean hes always been expected to lay on goals, for instance under José he's managed 2 assists in 22 premier league appearances, but he's almost made 2.5 tackles from one of the most advanced positions on the pitch. That's how José wants him to play and he's blossomed into it pressing high and keeping things stable among the mercurial three in behind the striker.

He scores the odd wonder goal and hes obviously got a very good shooting technique, along with a nice teasing free kick like the one he took against Stoke and so far this season he's banged in 7 goals in 28 appearances domestically & in Europe so we know the boy can score in pretty much any competition. In terms of assists his 2 in 22 games in very low for a #10 but i don't think that's his role in the team, plus we've been practically playing without a strikers goal threat for the last few seasons). I think if we had someone like Falcao/Rooney/Cavani/Costa then we'd be seeing Oscar laying on a lot more goals, even the hightest assisting player in the league (Mr. Juan Mata) couldn't get Torres firing and Ba and Eto'o aren't having the best time of it

He is young and he's got bags of potential, he's not your average #10 laying on goals but more of a willing runner and an engine further up the pitch capable of chipping in with the odd (and often spectacular) goal and that's been paying off dividends for us in the system we're paying, but offensively i don't feel he offers a threat like say, Hazard going forward but he's got time on his side and we've got his signature, so roll on the next couple of seasons because as we all know.. anything can happen in football

[LAB 1,030]

Jose didn't played him on Monday probably because of the pace factor. Not that he is not quick and all, but compared to Rami he is less physical.

On the other hand Rami has no sense of football artistry at all and Oscar is brilliant and that's food for thought for the sport in general.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Is there a point to this post? Surely you have to substantiate something like this?

I thought it was clear enough that Jose tailor made a game plan for city and used the ideal players to execute that game plan.

You think we would ever play like that against many other teams in all of Europe, let alone PL?

He played a broken formation. 6 always stayed back and 4 attacked and he wanted the fastest counters possible so he used the fastest guys.

He would have used Torres too if he was healthy and maybe even Salah if he didn't just join us.

It was just one game but also most important one so far. And if Oscar can be missed in most important game, its something telling that he isnt as important. Sure he had wonderful season so far and I like him being our #10, but even against team like West Ham, he didnt deliver creativity and chances.

[Joshybizzle 109]

It was just one game but also most important one so far. And if Oscar can be missed in most important game, its something telling that he isnt as important. Sure he had wonderful season so far and I like him being our #10, but even against team like West Ham, he didnt deliver creativity and chances.

In terms of assists his 2 in 22 games in very low for a #10 but i don't think that's his role in the team, plus we've been practically playing without a strikers goal threat for the last few seasons). I think if we had someone like Falcao/Rooney/Cavani/Costa then we'd be seeing Oscar laying on a lot more goals, even the hightest assisting player in the league (Mr. Juan Mata) couldn't get Torres firing and Ba and Eto'o aren't having the best time of it

I don't think he's in the side for creativity really, I wouldn't say that's one of his stronger attributes anyway and he doesn't lay on a ton of assists but we haven't been scoring masses of goals, but the system we're playing right now i don't think we need to

[hjperdeath 2,226]

It was just one game but also most important one so far. And if Oscar can be missed in most important game, its something telling that he isnt as important. Sure he had wonderful season so far and I like him being our #10, but even against team like West Ham, he didnt deliver creativity and chances.

Not really. It's telling that City are a different kind of side, and we as a team have a philosophy that is reactive rather than one that is stable with a clear cut agenda we see week in and week out ( City, Arsenal, Liverpool) . I also don't get the logic of using the West Ham game as an example to pull out specific players and criticise them. We had a terrific performance against them, what we lacked was pure luck. 9 shots on target if I'm not wrong, but most importantly, Lampard had a shot saved and Oscar hit the wood work. One of them games where you can't blame anyone. West Ham's defenders were shoddy but Adrian saved the day for them. It doesn't always have to be a you-bad-I-good situation.

[Korea 734]

We played probably best game of season and Oscar was benched...food for thought.

Mata withdrawal...

We also beat City 2x without Mata.... food for thought...

[Sheva. 5,373]

In terms of assists his 2 in 22 games in very low for a #10 but i don't think that's his role in the team

The player behind the striker is expected to be the creative force in the team, but that's not Oscar's game.

He can make a good pass, but like once every 6 games. It's not good enough for a #10, but he fits the hardworking approach under Mou, and scores goals to make up for his lack of assists, so it's all good for now.

I won't be surprised if he's left out for Willian more though, assuming Salah settles in well - and turns out to be the left-footed pacewhore Mourinho wants.

[Joshybizzle 109]

In terms of assists his 2 in 22 games in very low for a #10 but i don't think that's his role in the team

The player behind the striker is expected to be the creative force in the team, but that's not Oscar's game.

He can make a good pass, but like once every 6 games. It's not good enough for a #10, but he fits the hardworking approach under Mou, and scores goals to make up for his lack of assists, so it's all good for now.

I won't be surprised if he's left out for Willian more though, assuming Salah settles in well - and turns out to be the left-footed pacewhore Mourinho wants.

I think we're looking at a player similar to Robben in Salah and I'd appreciate the goal threat but that's a good shout Oscar and Willian do tend to do quite similar jobs and vital jobs for the team but quite unspectacular in terms of end product so it wouldn't surprise me to see them rotated when Salah gets his footing, if he does!

[Korea 734]

The player behind the striker is expected to be the creative force in the team, but that's not Oscar's game.

He can make a good pass, but like once every 6 games. It's not good enough for a #10, but he fits the hardworking approach under Mou, and scores goals to make up for his lack of assists, so it's all good for now.

I won't be surprised if he's left out for Willian more though, assuming Salah settles in well - and turns out to be the left-footed pacewhore Mourinho wants.

You make it seem that willian is gettin these assists...

Willian prior to coming to chelsea, was always viewed as an attacking flair player. However, mourinho uses him completely different.

Oscar/willian dont have the freedom most 10s do.

This idea he cant make the good pass is false... More like he balances his effort on both sides of the ball.

[bluesman2610 1,417]

I can't believe people are now calling for Oscar head.. when we played possibly the best team on the planet current CL holders Oscar was vital as he was in the 2-1 defeat of City at the Bridge.. He is rested for this game as tactics dictated we needed to be faster on the break and all of a sudden his importance is being questioned.. I know you guys miss Mata but some need to get their heads checked..

[Korea 734]

I can't believe people are now calling for Oscar head.. when we played possibly the best team on the planet current CL holders Oscar was vital as he was in the 2-1 defeat of City at the Bridge.. He is rested for this game as tactics dictated we needed to be faster on the break and all of a sudden his importance is being questioned.. I know you guys miss Mata but some need to get their heads checked..

its mata withdrawal....

[bluesman2610 1,417]

The role Mata had in the team was given to Hazard to be the creative focal point as we have seen all season.. This romantic idea that the #10 needs to be a creative juggernaut is just that an idea.. OUR TEAM needs balance and what Oscar brings to the table is that balance.. Fair enough he could use more assists but if he puts players in and they don't score you are going to hold that against him in not making assists that is a tad unfair.. To register an assist there needs to be finishing whether it come from another AM or CM or our ST as we can all plainly see that is where we struggled all season to put the ball in the back of the net once that gets better as a team Oscar's assisting stats will increase

[Sheva. 5,373]

You make it seem that willian is gettin these assists...

No. You misread my point.

Willian is just more dynamic than Oscar, but his final ball could also use some work.

And i think Willian right now is backup #10 to Oscar, so given his performance there against City, i said he could leave Oscar out more times if Salah does well on the right.

Oscar/willian dont have the freedom most 10s do.

Not in big games yes, they have to work so much harder than the likes of Silva and Ozil who just stroll back with no care in the world.

But you can't tell me Oscar doesn't have any freedom against a team like West ham at home?

This idea he cant make the good pass is false... More like he balances his effort on both sides of the ball.

I did say he can make a good pass, but it's few and far between.

its mata withdrawal....

Cute.

[Rmpr 8,977]

don't talk about shit you don't know

Neymar put in a request to play with the #10 and OSCAR agreed without creating a problem. It wasn't a managerial decision... Neymar did it because that's who he is... that's how his father manages his career. There was a lot of backlash, so yeah, the shirt would still be Oscar's if Neymar didn't ask for it for his vain reasons.

And then asked by the media if he was upset about Neymar's request, Oscar answered it was just a shirt, that's not important and he moved on from the subject.

That is not true at all. Neymar didnt want the #10 jersey, but Nike executives asked him to try to talk with Oscar and Scolari and see if there was any problems with him wearing it in the Confederations and World Cups.

I do think Oscar deserved to be the #10 and Neymar the #11, but it is ridicululous how you threw the information without knowing anything about it...