One game down, 37 to go for Chelsea’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior, simply known as ‘Oscar’, who’s returned to England fresh from a promising start but sickening end to Brazil’s World Cup tournament little over a month ago.
Source: Chelsea TV
He sits for an interview looking relaxed and baby-faced as ever. It’s as though he never faced the pressure of the Brazilian public hoping to win the World Cup, let alone taking over from Juan Mata to play the ‘number 10 role’ for Chelsea, winning a European trophy and scoring a screamer against Juventus, all in a space of 2 years. He does the interview in English, a language he obviously wants to speak more fluently, although it’s his body language that exudes what Oscar Emboaba is about – Fun and determination.
He returns to London with a second new ‘beautiful’ child to father, and with two seasons of English football already under his belt, he’s eagerly looking forward to starting his third with the Blues, adding he ‘missed’ being with the club on a regular basis, as Chelsea’s new number 8, the shirt number previously worn by Stamford Bridge legend, Frank Lampard.
He says he’s honoured to accept such a huge responsibility, and hopes to follow in his idol ‘Lamps’ footsteps in gaining some major silverware of his own. He adds that he’s overjoyed at another Chelsea legend’s return to the club, and admits the number eleven shirt was always meant for Didier Drogba.
‘How are you?’ Oscar chuckles as he’s asked. This is a 22 year old that has played 112 games for Chelsea since his arrival in August 2012. Without making the same waves as his Brazilian counterparts, Neymar and Lucas, did when arriving in Europe, Oscar has gone about his business quietly, showing glimpses of his huge potential in the central attacking role given to him by coach, Jose Mourinho.
‘I’m good, I’m feeling good’, he says after 3 weeks of rest post the World Cup. Having trained a few times after returning from his break, he found himself back where he cemented his place last season – In Jose Mourinho’s starting XI against Burnley.
Source: chelseafc.com
Asked further about his condition, he says he loves playing a ton of games. His love for football overshadows the word ‘fatigue’, and that he’s prepared to play just as many games again. However, he goes on to say that those appearances won’t come without a reward this season. ‘I want to win everything. Premier League, Champions League.’
And why not? Chelsea have been tipped by the majority to win their first league trophy since 2010, a year which saw Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea team packed with attacking midfielders and winners. Oscar believes Mourinho too has, with the acquisitions of Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Kurt Zouma and Didier Drogba, built a team capable of challenging on all fronts.
For Oscar it is evident what he’s after, and his mission to ‘win everything’ bodes well with his manager, the club’s owner and fans.
– @_Sillinho