Eden HazardJuan Mata

Oscar’s Performance is a Warning to Mata and the other playmakers

By festus
Oscar’s Performance

People who might have wondered why Chelsea fought so hard to secure the signature of Oscar are now getting the answers after his debut start against one of the biggest European (Juventus) clubs and one of the all-time best goalkeepers in the world (Buffon) produced a Man Of The Match performance and with a stunning goal if Messi had scored, it would have been awarded the best goal of the century. After the match, the legendary Buffon spoke about the second goal of Oscar that makes us know the real stature of the goal. Buffon said “it’s not nice to concede a goal but it is nice to be a part of a great goal”.After being in post for several years, the veteran keeper has seen many goals but he is happy to be part of this “great” goal. It is not only the two magnificent and instinctive goals Oscar scored that makes him stake a real claim for the playmaker role in Chelsea; it is his all-round performance that night which should give cause for concern to the Chelsea players who always want to play through the middle as playmakers especially our Number 10, Mata.

Some might think it is too early to think Oscar should be given the playmaker role after just one sensational performance. However, the boy has shown this consistent performance and intelligence for a long time in Brazil and it is no accident that he wears the Brazil number 10 jersey. People who might also think Oscar’s performance might be a flash in the pan might not have watched him play for Brazil so many times as I have. Mano Menezes, Brazil’s head coach meant no joke when he described Oscar as the brain powerhouse of his team who reads games so perfectly on the pitch and solves problems that may arise for his team with his intelligent ball control and sleek passes. If you still doubt the boy Oscar you can still ask yourself why a 20-year old boy would command such a huge price. John Obi Mikel, Cech and Di Matteo are not surprised by Oscar’s performance as they know what he does at training and Mikel in particular says he has seen Oscar score similar stunning goals during training. Brazil’s last friendly match against China where he assisted 3 times and scored a goal, he nearly scored a screamer from more than 35 yards out. He is so confident and intelligent for his age that he believes in his instincts and always chooses the best option within a split-second.
One reason why I will play Oscar in the playmaker role ahead of Mata is that he is a natural playmaker. His quick short one-two passes and through-balls are great and against Juventus his exit was a huge blow to the shape of the team and it spice Juve on to get the equalizer. His working rate is higher than Mata and he does not only stay at the attacking third of the opponents area for supply but he drops deep to collect the ball from Mikel, Lampard and even Luiz which Mata fails to do many times. One huge attribute about Oscar as a playmaker is his ability to chase the ball all the time, unsettle opponents attacking build up from the back and most importantly close in on the opponents at their own half when they have the ball. Against Italy, when Germany decided to unsettle with Pirlo with Toni Kroos, it was a total failure. It is not easy to get the better over Pirlo but Oscar did not only make Pirlo anonymous with his continuous pestering of the Italian legend, he turned him inside-out to score a goal which will live in infamy at the Bridge.

If Oscar finds his feet in the EPL, he would be the surprised package for world football. When I saw Oscar’s name in the starting lineup against Juve ahead of Mata, I tweeted to the doubting Thomases that Oscar’s performance will let us almost forget about Mata and I believe many are beginning to be carried away by the Oscar fever. In my last edition of “Azonto Epistles” I said a lot about Oscar and how he is the linchpin to the transformation of Chelsea’s style of play, I believe RDM might have read the article and taken that bold decision to give him his debut in the Champions League. So never think your comments and suggestions go unnoticed. Therefore feel free and share your views since you don’t know who might be reading.
By Seth Adusei (twitter @sethaadusei)
 
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festus
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8 Comments
  1. Arthur Osadebe says

    Honestly, the young man has proved he is ready for the big challenge. Lets give him the role to carry our term to the glory land. RDM should put his trust in him

  2. Nawaz says

    Did you know Juan Mata was the player of our season last time?To diss him like this is autocratic.And sad.Forget about Mata??????Because of one performance?Are you out of your mind?Did you even see the match?did you see they play in different positions?Mata can play in left wing as well as central midfield..Oscar plays at Right wing as well as Holding midfield.There is not a connection between the two.And have you noticed how Hazard plays when mata is on the field?It wont be an overstatement to say that Hazard needs mata in the midfield.You take out mata,you may as well remove hazard.Really think before you type.Mata is as much important to the team as oscar or hazard is.Equally if not more as he has ALREADY PROVED HIMSELF.There will be healthy competitions.No one is going to forget him.Oscar will develop like this and will one day take Lampard's position.This sounds sensible than him taking mata's position.

  3. Nawaz says

    I am happy that you liked oscar.You support him.You wanna push him forward.Good.but not at the cost of OUR PLAYER OF THE SEASON.RESPECT PLEASE.”Oscar’s performance will let us almost forget about Mata' NEVER SEEN A SENTENCE LIKE THIS FROM A CHELSEA FAN.

  4. Seth Adusei says

    @Nawaz its good to have a divergent opinion & you would have earned my respect if you kept it civil & devoid of insult. I dont want to debate you since anyone who reads your comment that Oscar is a “holding midfielder” & “he plays different role from Mata” will know you have no clue of what you are talking about. Thanks for your comment any way

  5. Zane says

    Oscar is by no means a holding midfielder. A manager can't just throw in a player in any position and expect him to perform above par. Holding midfielders are usually equiped with strength,tackling and high stamina abilities. Xabi Alonso,Yaya Toure and Alex Song are perfect examples of holding midfielders-these are tacticians in midfield and at the same time makes them some sort of playmakers with excellent vision from deep. How many time did Song release Van Persie last season? Khedira plays as the mikel type (defensive) holding midfielder while Alonso as his more creative partner in midfield for Real Madrid. Yaya partnered with De Jong who is the defensive type for City. All these players possess an amount of muscle mass and height that makes them perfect for that position. Oscar is short and obviously does not have the muscle mass.

  6. Anonymous says

    You are on point Seth. Oscar has proven he is ready to challenge for the play maker role.

  7. blaise nzambiman says

    hope the legcuters don't involve(frimpong,fortunatly Barton,s gone,de jong,..etc
    )

  8. Anonymous says

    u are right but, xcuse me oscar's not short at 5-11 ..u thnk he's short??

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