The Guardian’s Dom Fifield described Oscar as ‘a man possessed performing his Rabona cross and flurry of slick back-heels’ after orchestrating Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
A reinvented Chelsea number 8 is perhaps what the Blues have lacked this season; a ‘playmaker’ of old – the Brazilian that Blues fans saw swivel and stun Gianluigi Buffon on his Champions League debut with two goals, not the make-shift defensive winger he is so often deployed as.
Oscar began the game in a slightly deeper role, dropping to receive the ball as Chelsea looked to build out from the back. Twists and turns were plentiful as Chelsea fans saw a new (or old) side to the 24-year-old, who stole the show and deservedly – cooly – slotted home his penalty early on in the second half.
Fans have had their doubts about the Brazilian in recent months; he began Chelsea’s season opener in a similar style, navigating his way through the Swansea midfield before Thibaut Courtois was sent off and the game was jeopardised.
We haven’t really seen the same Oscar since. The midfielder completed 83.7% of his 80 passes on Saturday afternoon, receiving 86. There was never a doubt about the Brazilian’s ability to move the ball around the pitch; he has an outstanding football brain but rarely shows it.
The difference on Saturday was his use of the ball going forward. Oscar completed 6 of his 7 take-ons, with 31/40 attacking third passes and one chance created. Had he been slightly more advanced this tally may have risen, because he seemed to have Allardyce’s side right where he wanted them for most of the game.
The Brazilian floated around the pitch with the freedom that he, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard had been given under Di Matteo and Benitez. He looked for the ball and was rarely ignored by his Chelsea team-mates. A front three of Willian, Oscar and Pedro could revitalise Chelsea’s season if Hazard continues to dip in-and-out of last season’s form.
Oscar performed like a man who wants to be pivotal in Hiddink’s plans. With the right guidance from a manager who confides in his players such as Hiddink, who did so when he last took the Chelsea hot-seat, the 24-year-old could yet be a silver lining.
With Juventus declaring their interest in the midfielder and Oscar’s sporadic inclusion on the team-sheet by Jose, it was easy for the Brazilian to fall out of favour with the Chelsea fans.
The truth is that he’s always worked hard when he plays. He has a brilliant attacking mind and, when he chooses to make use of it, can be influential in any game. Though his eagerness to shoot can sometimes be overwhelming and frustrating, it’s what Chelsea are lacking – on another day Oscar may have had two or three goals.
The Oscar of Saturday has been absent in recent months, but perhaps a new lease of life under Hiddink could transform the Brazilian and salvage his Chelsea career.
