Oscar

[Myself 793]

I re-watched the whole first half again in a more tactical and detailed way. And yes, people were absolutely unfair on Oscar - including me in my first assessment of his performance.

1) If you watch closely the whole team at times played the ball fast, getting rid of it quickly to the closest teammate. I think it's something Mourinho asked - they drilled those things a lot, Mourinho talked about drilling those things as well (quick passing under pressure or not). But only Oscar was criticized for that, but I saw Fàbregas, Hazard, Costa, Schurrle, Matic doing it at least a handful times each.

2) During the whole first half Oscar was the guy who set our attack in motion at least five times (I didn't count, but I remember at least five at the top of my mind) and by setting it in motion I don't mean starting it near the CBs, but changing the tempo and actually making the ball reach our attackers near or inside the 18-yard box. Our very first time reaching the final third was a long ball by him to Costa - an accurate one. At least three times his pass was the immediate one before the potential assist from a shot on goal, a blocked shot or a last minute tackle by the defense.

I don't blame anyone for not noticing the good things he did, he wasn't spectacular in the eye and in a night where Cesc, Iva, Costa, Hazard and Schurrle were really eye popping, is hard to catch little basic Oscar doing his thing. When I watched live I was working and I can never watch matches properly while writing reports of the highlights at the same time and I thought he was meh. Not good, not bad with a few atypical misplaced passes. Then the second time I've watched streaks of the match - basically from many individual vids (Cesc, Costa, Hazard) I realized that Oscar was involved in a relevant way at least three times. Now I really rewatched the match (first half only though) and I paid attention to our movement, positioning and players and my eye often caught him and also something else someone pointed out in the Ivanovic thread, that I'll be there in a bit to discuss.

All in all I think that was his best match since the Southampton one in January (if I remember correctly he did well against Arsenal as well and another match). It's still far from the matches he did early last season for us, but at the same time with now so many guys with better tools than him - whether it's dribbling, pace, vision, passing - I don't think we'll see much of those matches anymore. Jack of all trades, master of none (maybe except recovering possession in the final third) that he is, someone will always look better than him with their dribbles, runs, passes, through balls and therefore will be more influential, but he'll contribute in his discreet way... he isn't flashy, he looks awkward on the ball, he seems clumsy sometimes and he doesn't aspire much confidence because of his nearly uncomfortable-looking style of conducting the ball and passing, but he does contribute in his own way. He isn't on his best physical condition yet so I think he will improve his passing and finish some, but he'll mainly set the stage for others to shine. I think it's a fitting role given that he isn't a 9+ player in any aspect of his game...

That was what I was going to fucking write, but NOOOOOO my fucking computer decides to fuck me over.

That was a good read, Barbara. Completely agree.

[Polo7 3,496]

Oscars performance on Monday. Get the ball, take two steps forward then pass ball back or sideways. He is our number 10. He can do so much better I know he can. But he can't continue to be a freeloader.

[Korea 734]

Oscars performance on Monday. Get the ball, take two steps forward then pass ball back or sideways. He is our number 10. He can do so much better I know he can. But he can't continue to be a freeloader.

Dumb posted and dumber likes, now we dumbest to complete the cycle.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I think people look on Oscar from wrong angle. He might look like #10 and be positioned there on tactical board before games, but once the game actualy starts, everything he does is what #8 would do. Tracks around the whole midfield, make quick passes, create space and drag players on himself, so that others have more options in attack. Even does fair share of tackles and interceptions aswell. But people cant get over that tactical board before game and still think Oscar is #10. And obviously, because that is not his role atm anymore, he wont score or assist, make dribbles in attack etc, and people will be dissapointed.

From tactical angle, Oscar had nearly perfect game vs Burnley, he was amazing #8. But if you judge him as #10, he had awfull game. But thing is, that wasnt his role in quite a few games recently, however people cant get over that.

In conclusion, Oscar has potential and talent to do alot more at #10, but that is not his role atm. I would prefer a bit more powerful and faster #8, ala Essien (if he existed), but Oscar as #8 wasnt bad either considering he switched positions alot with Cesc, he worked for others, to make play as fluid as possible.

I dont think Oscar will ever be that real #10 tbh, but the main question is if he can raise the form and then keep it wherever he plays for us in this season.

[Diego 433]

I didn't think he had a bad game at all Monday. I watched the first half again and he was always making him self an option for the person who had the ball, he kept the ball well and worked hard. People seem to forget there is a middle ground between a MOTM performance- having a terrible game. If he can perform to his best we would have a ridiculous good front 4.

[The only place to be 11,313]

, however people cant get over that.

Actually a lot of people have come to that realisation.

It was his first game in a slightly different role with Fabregas taking a lot of the creative burden. He has to continue improving now.

[communicate 2,703]

I think people look on Oscar from wrong angle. He might look like #10 and be positioned there on tactical board before games, but once the game actualy starts, everything he does is what #8 would do. Tracks around the whole midfield, make quick passes, create space and drag players on himself, so that others have more options in attack. Even does fair share of tackles and interceptions aswell. But people cant get over that tactical board before game and still think Oscar is #10. And obviously, because that is not his role atm anymore, he wont score or assist, make dribbles in attack etc, and people will be dissapointed.

From tactical angle, Oscar had nearly perfect game vs Burnley, he was amazing #8. But if you judge him as #10, he had awfull game. But thing is, that wasnt his role in quite a few games recently, however people cant get over that.

In conclusion, Oscar has potential and talent to do alot more at #10, but that is not his role atm. I would prefer a bit more powerful and faster #8, ala Essien (if he existed), but Oscar as #8 wasnt bad either considering he switched positions alot with Cesc, he worked for others, to make play as fluid as possible.

I dont think Oscar will ever be that real #10 tbh, but the main question is if he can raise the form and then keep it wherever he plays for us in this season.

I thought he played well.

Move to the left to provide width as Hazard drift inside, drop deep to pick up the ball and let cesc go forwad.

I am not sure he will ever be a no 10 ala Mata but he is the perfect no 10 for us. Brilliant defensively and tactically.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Actually a lot of people have come to that realisation.

It was his first game in a slightly different role with Fabregas taking a lot of the creative burden. He has to continue improving now.

If they did, the thread wouldnt be full of he is bad, he should be sold,he did nothing etc comments...

Only few realised that.

[Barbara 15,149]

If they did, the thread wouldnt be full of he is bad, he should be sold,he did nothing etc comments...

Only few realised that.

nah, only the usual suspects.

Some people won't ever like Oscar, no matter what, and some just look at the game as if it was FIFA or PES... either you perform out of this world and shines and flashes or you suck. It's a lot about the way some view the sport. So for one reason or the other, it's always the same suspects.

My posts here were to correctly firstly, myself, as I had a bad impression of him at first, with him being at most average. And then Dion and I were discussing it. The usual suspects I don't even acknowledge anymore...

[zolayes 14,489]

we get the usual obsession with numbers ,, number 10 number 6 number 8 ... Oscar is providing the stability that Makelele

did and Ballack did . We now have Oscar and Matic who will allow others more freedom . he can wear 69 for all I care.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

I thought he played well.

Move to the left to provide width as Hazard drift inside, drop deep to pick up the ball and let cesc go forwad.

I am not sure he will ever be a no 10 ala Mata but he is the perfect no 10 for us. Brilliant defensively and tactically.

Yeah, because of that at times it looked as though we were playing with two #10s: Eden and Cesc. Tactically, Oscar had a good game and was very useful.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

In our system, the #10 is mostly going to be Willian or Oscar, someone who works hard and puts defensive work in that allows Fabergas to go forward more. I am fine with that.

[Barbara 15,149]

Yeah, because of that at times it looked as though we were playing with two #10s: Eden and Cesc. Tactically, Oscar had a good game and was very useful.

even technically he wasn't as bad as he had been the last four months of last season. He isn't on top of his game yet, far from it, but he wasn't a disgrace either. It's been considerable improvement individually from him compared to last season, partially because of Cesc's presence and his new role in the team and partially because he seemed to be 100% into the match, which isn't something we could say about many of his matches in the second half of the season...

[The Skipper 20,609]

As mentioned by others above, our number 10 is very unorthodox. Our number 10 (in our system) is all about tactical stability rather than the creative freedom that you get from a orthodox number 10, and players like Oscar and Willian fit that nicely. They are instructed to help start the first phase in the high press, to help create triangle passing lanes all over the pitch, and to give and provide a stable platform for our more creative players like Hazard and Fabregas. On top of that they're expected to chip in with the odd goal and assist here and there too. It's not an easy role at all but it does help facilitate balance in the team, which is why I thought Oscar had a decent performance Monday because he did most of those things. He does have the ability to step it up in the final third though.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

we get the usual obsession with numbers ,, number 10 number 6 number 8 ... Oscar is providing the stability that Makelele

did and Ballack did . We now have Oscar and Matic who will allow others more freedom . he can wear 69 for all I care.

I think people (including myself) were talking about positions (#10, #8, etc) not what numbers they wear on their back.

[zolayes 14,489]

I think people (including myself) were talking about positions (#10, #8, etc) not what numbers they wear on their back.

and I am talking about what I see Oscar providing ,, which is stability and balance ,, Something we need if others are to have the

freedom to attack

[BlueLyon 9,359]

and I am talking about what I see Oscar providing ,, which is stability and balance ,, Something we need if others are to have the

freedom to attack

Well we still look bit unsettled in defence though.

[Styles 9,790]

The stumbling block for many people seems to be the term ' #10 ' and the connotation. Oscar's role on Monday night wasn't that of a traditional #10 yet that hasn't stopped many criticising him for not playing like one. The midfield on Monday was far more of a 4-3-3 than a 4-2-3-1 in my opinion.

Love him or hate him - and I'll be honest, I've had to drastically re-evaluate my own opinion of Oscar's ability/potential as his form plummeted last season - but he had a solid game on Monday night.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

The thing about Oscar is, he will never be a creative no 10 like David Silva or Özil. The defensive responsibilities he takes here make him more of a no 8. Still he remains one of our tactically most important players. Having a defensively disciplined player in the CAM position enables Fabregas to have the play in front of him when he drops deep and cover when he advances to play the killer passes like he did monday. Also Oscar often serves as a ball carrier and picks up the ball between the centre-halves when Cesc temporarily takes on the no.10. position. This way Oscar and FAbregas complement each other just fine.

[AndersonBLUE 819]

This guy runs a lot but it is more like a headless chicken than doing anything. Ball just gets played around him a lot of the time. Even Burnley can do it.