Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Is Oscar really needed by Chelsea?

Oscar: Really needed?

There's been reports in the British media (ESPN and the Daily Mail) that Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Brazilian wonderkid, Oscar, from Internacional for a fee of €25 million. With this signing, surely it means that Chelsea's pursuit of Modric and Moutinho is over, and we've got the creative midfielder we needed. People suggested that after Hazard was signed a few weeks ago that Chelsea would no longer need a player such as Modric, with Hazard looking to play the number 10 role in competition with Mata.

Oscar would clearly come in to the side to provide flair and even more creativity to the side. This addition would be added to the recent signings Marin, De Bruyne and Hazard. But the question I ask is, do Chelsea need Oscar?

In my personal opinion, the signing won't go through for a number of reasons. Firstly, Chelsea already have a number of players who can play in that position. These include: Piazon, De Bruyne, Mata, Hazard and of course Lampard. Although Lampard's assist count may have fallen over the last few seasons, he's still shown he can pick out a pass - just like in the 45th minute at the Nou Camp. Lampard chipped through to Ramires and, well, you know the rest.

People don't know much about Lucas Piazon, but he's another Brazilian youngster, who plays in the attacking midfielder role, just like Oscar. At 18 as well, he's a similar age to Oscar, and it has to be questioned what this potential signing would mean for Piazon's future. I've seen quite a bit of Piazon in reserve team matches, and he already looks very comfortable in that setting. Last season I remember he was on the bench a few times, and he's already hoping to make more appearances next season in the first team. If Chelsea manage to go on a good run in the Carling Cup, expect to see Piazon feature. Otherwise, he may have to go on loan in order to continue his development.

De Bruyne is a player who played primarily on the wing for Genk in most of his time at the club. However he's stated in many interviews that he also sees himself as a central midfielder, as he's good with both feet and has an eye for a pass. As it stands however, I see him fitting in on the wing, competing with Marin for the right sided position, with Chelsea struggling with depth in this area in the last few seasons.

Hazard has been the stellar signing of the summer, and he has also been seen as one of two creative players in the team next season, along with the excellent Juan Mata, who had a very impressive debut season. Hazard was very effective for Lille in the last 3 seasons, playing just behind the striker, becoming one of only three players (the others being Ronaldo & Messi) who managed over 15 goals and assists last season. Add that to the brilliance of Mata, and there should be many assists and goals coming from these two. This will surely compensate for the different role that Lampard will surely play in the future, sitting deep and only occasionally making runs into the box.

As Lampard has reached the age of 34, this new role is needed in order for him to continue to provide a contribution and threat for the team. We saw in the latter Champions League stages, Lampard sitting deep with Mikel, allowing 4 others to venture forward. Next season, these 4 would surely be Mata, Hazard, Ramires and Torres, with Marin, Sturridge and De Bruyne also available. With players such as Piazon and McEachran in the early stages of their career, you would really hope that Chelsea on this occasion save their money, and pursue with areas that need strengthening such as at right-back.

It remains to be seen whether all this talk of Oscar is just a rumor, with the intention being to gain a new contract at Internacional, or whether it really has any substance. It would certainly be a surprise, especially after being linked with creative midfielders who are proven at a higher level, such as Modric, Moutinho and Cabaye. If he is to sign for Chelsea, then it will be a statement of intent from Chelsea. However, for the sakes of the future of midfielders such as Piazon and McEachran who are already at the club, I do hope that this deal is all talk. With Mata and Hazard providing balls through for Torres at will, and the raw pace and engine that Ramires holds, our attack next season seems to be a lot stronger than it's been for a while. It awaits to be seen whether a creative midfielder is signed, but for the price being asked for Oscar, and the lack of experience that he possesses, you would really hope that it is just all rumor. We will see.

KTBFFH


#Will Talbut
@WSTalbs



15 comments:

  1. Dear Will, Sry to write bt this has been a very poor article by you. First of all i would like to say that it seems you don't have proper knowledge abt the playing positions of the players. All hazard, de bruyne, Mata and piazon play in front 3 of the formation and lampard play as a midfielder, and moreover oscar is a midfielder not a winger and we will buy him as long term replacement to the lampard. I don't know what reserve matches you have seen paizon play, he plays as a left winger in the 4-3-3 formation and not in the middle 3. So how can he be hindering the development of paizon. I m amazed !!!

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    1. Anonymous, I wouldn't start saying that I don't have the knowledge, when I've followed all of these players, and haven't missed an interview they've given since they all signed for the club! De Bruyne has been quoted as saying that he sees himself as a central midfielder in the future, because of his ability with both feet and his ability to pick out team mates. Mata isn't a winger and has never been because he isn't that quick. He showed that a lot last season, when he played best when he was through the middle, which gave him the time to play the killer passes needed. Don't know what you've heard about Hazard, but he also plays that role, just behind the striker, playing the killer pass. Although he can play on the wing, it doesn't necessarily mean that he'll become a winger all of the time at Chelsea. Lampard has always usually been the player in midfield for Chelsea who provides the killer pass. Under Mourinho's diamond, he would always be the one threading through a ball to Drogba, but as he's got older he'll have to sit deeper, and the role in midfield will go to Mata or Hazard, with my guessing being that both of these players will switch during the match. You say he's a replacement for Lampard, but how many times, honestly, have you seen him play? I'm not going to start saying I've seen him loads, but for you to start saying he's a replacement for Lampard is crazy. He's a young 18 year old, who is yet to prove himself at the highhest Lampard. Plus, you have to realise that there is only one Lampard, and he has been so successful in our team due to the system we've played in the last 10 years. This won't be the same system that we're looking to play under Di Matteo. Again, you need to do your research. People have compared Piazon to the next Kaka. Is Kaka a winger also? Piazon has played in the central midfield, again, just behind the striker when I've seen him play, not as a winger. You say you're amazed, I'm amazed back!

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    2. Dear Will, Its not what the player wants to play at the position he likes, its always been the team management, u say de bruyne wants to play as central midfielder, so can we assume he is midfielder, no never !!!!! chelsea bought him seeing him play on the wings for genk upteenth time. So, how can he be played at the midfield position as he never played there. So it means chelsea bought a player for a particular playing position (midfield as u say) whom they never saw him playing as a midfielder( I assume u mean this ). I can't accept this, infact nobody will believe this. Chelsea bought him as a winger , because he plays as winger. What he think doesn't matter.
      Moreover i don't know wht u think of What diamond formation is, but chelsea never ever played in this formation under Jose. (I don't know which matches u watch). Its always been a 4-3-3 under jose. Carlo did tried to play in diamond formation by playing lampard at the tip but when it was not successful they again resorted to tried & tested 4-3-3.
      As regarding piazon i will again ask u to do ur research properly. Just watch the last year's Youth Cup and Reserve matches and see where he plays. Its been on the left side of front three, and I assume that position is not known as midfield, its left wing. As regarding Kaka u r absolutely right and he is not a winger, but i never said that !!!!

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    3. http://theirtactics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/0001-22.jpg

      That there shows the diamond formation I referred to. You may have misunderstood this, but this is what I referred to, and what was mentioned throughout the whole of the media when Mourinho was in charge! Must have forgotten that. De Bruyne can play in the centre of midfield, and I would like to tell you about someone else who used to play as a winger and now as a central midfielder. Ryan Giggs. Ok, he's a cheat and Man United scum, but he, just like De Bruyne may do, used to be a winger for Man United, but now he plays in central midfield. Why is this? Because he has an eye for a pass, just like De Bruyne says he has. Just because a player plays well in one position doesn't mean they have to be limited to that position. With Oscar though, what I'm stating is the fact that this is unnecessary as Mata and Hazard will play as the playmakers in the team. Oscar plays as a playmaker also, but would he really slot into that midfield ahead of Mata and Hazard? Don't think so. Piazon may have played as a winger for the reserves, BUT Chelsea actually signed him because of the performances he put on in the Under 17 World Cup where he played as a playmaker, or just behind the striker, impressing there. Why I mentioned Kaka was that he is compared to Piazon, and Kaka is not a winger (last time I checked), but as a central midfielder, which is what Piazon's position will eventually be. As for what matches I've watched, I've been a season ticket holder for 12 years, not missed a home game in that time, so I've seen quite a lot of matches. I remember seeing first hand the Mourinho diamond and that's what I was referring to. Next time you should maybe do your research before stating articles are poorly written. KTBFFH

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    4. http://theirtactics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/0001-22.jpg

      That there shows the diamond formation I referred to. You may have misunderstood this, but this is what I referred to, and what was mentioned throughout the whole of the media when Mourinho was in charge! Must have forgotten that. De Bruyne can play in the centre of midfield, and I would like to tell you about someone else who used to play as a winger and now as a central midfielder. Ryan Giggs. Ok, he's a cheat and Man United scum, but he, just like De Bruyne may do, used to be a winger for Man United, but now he plays in central midfield. Why is this? Because he has an eye for a pass, just like De Bruyne says he has. Just because a player plays well in one position doesn't mean they have to be limited to that position. With Oscar though, what I'm stating is the fact that this is unnecessary as Mata and Hazard will play as the playmakers in the team. Oscar plays as a playmaker also, but would he really slot into that midfield ahead of Mata and Hazard? Don't think so. Piazon may have played as a winger for the reserves, BUT Chelsea actually signed him because of the performances he put on in the Under 17 World Cup where he played as a playmaker, or just behind the striker, impressing there. Why I mentioned Kaka was that he is compared to Piazon, and Kaka is not a winger (last time I checked), but as a central midfielder, which is what Piazon's position will eventually be. As for what matches I've watched, I've been a season ticket holder for 12 years, not missed a home game in that time, so I've seen quite a lot of matches. I remember seeing first hand the Mourinho diamond and that's what I was referring to. Next time you should maybe do your research before stating articles are poorly written. KTBFFH

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    5. Dear Will, I appreciate your passion for the blues and its quite pleasing that ur are a regular season ticket holder. On the formation of the team whether its diamond or 4-3-3, the link u have provided its clearly written there that its 4-3-3, not a diamond. U may have missed that.
      In diamond formation there must be midfield of 4 players not 3.
      On Paizon issue I think u should give the advice to our academy coaches to play him just behind the striker, not as a left winger, which so far they have been doing.

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  2. Great insight. I also hope that it's just a rumor. We need a replacement for lampard. Some who can get the ball from te defense and feed it to our attackers and control the midfield. A Andrea Pirlo or Xabi Alonso type of player.

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    1. That's primarily what Mata and Hazard will look to do next year I think with this different system. It does seem like an awful lot of money for such a young player. Well AVB states that clubs are still interested in Modric. To be honest, although he's more of a replacement for Lampard than this guy. Plus, he's proven in the Premier League, and would thrive playing with other players such as Mata and Hazard, as the pressure wouldn't be on him so much like it is at Spurs.

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  4. If oscar finaly join chelsea there is only one thing in my mind lampard and maluder and again benaun 2 of them must live chelsea

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    1. I'm sure that Malouda and Benayoun are on their way to be honest. Benayoun says he wants to try and impress Di Matteo. If he doesn't I'm sure he'll be on his way. Malouda knows his chances will be limited next season - expect him to maybe move to France at some point in this transfer window.

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  5. what i have read in various articles about oscar is that he is very talented and can play in various positions. ha plays as no.10, can play on wings as well as he prefers to come back and dictate the play. if he has so many qualities why not go for him. he is only 20, brazil international ( quite a feet at his age and considering the amount of talent brazil have).

    from what i see chelsea is looking for other options if hulk deal falls through. moreover he will be much costlier then oscar. yes i do agree what will happen to the likes of josh, piazon, de bruyne. its simple, the one who performs and grows will play and progress and others will move on. also i think roman is trying to lure pep gaurdiola next season by assembling these players.

    anyhow another reports emerging that we are pretty much interested in signing Schurrle . we have already one bid rejected by bayern. chelsea looking to table another improved bid. now again he is a very versatile player, who can play on wings and upfront as well.
    so for me forget about hulk. sign both oscar and Schurrle. they both will cost same amount of money as hulk would alone. plus both of them are younger then hulk.

    devupisces

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  6. We will have a lot of competitions next season, so it should be good if we can buy Oscar. His talent is immense. His versatility can add more for Robbie's rotation policy. I hope it's not a rumour anyway.
    If we have Oscar already, we don't need Schurrle.

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  7. oscar is portrayed as a center attacking midfielder/winger but if you watch him play for brazil or internaciale he actually drops back soo deep he almost becomes a holding midfielder and i think chelsea have noticed this so instead of going for the well knowned names of certified deep midfielders like mountinho, javi martinez and etc they are going to take oscar and transform him into a deep lying midfielder just like what mourinho did to john obi mikel. chelsea next season will line up in the formation of 4,2,3,1 with cech and the back four, a holding midfielder whether it would be mikel, romeou or mereiles then a center mid just infront of the center defensive mid someone like oscar,lampard and de bruyne then the 3 attacking midfielders who will interchange so mata,hazard,marin,sturridge and piazon then torres upfront, chelsea did not buy oscar simply as an attacking midfielder chelsea are trying to remodel the chellsea outlook and turn it into a passin attacking team full of threat all over the pitch

    cech
    ivanovic/hutchitson luiz/terry cahill cole/bertrand

    mikel/romeou/mereiles
    oscar/ramires/lampard

    Marin/De bruyne mata/sturridge hazard/piazon

    Torres/lukaku/cavani maybe...?

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  8. Oscar is needed....

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