ESPN Ranks Chelsea FC’s Oscar 25th Best Player in World Cup
Using a survey system across is global networks, ESPN has ranked Chelsea FC midfielder Oscar the 25th best player in the World Cup. ESPN says that it ranked the Top 50 players “based on an extensive survey of ESPN writers, editors and TV analysts across all regions (ESPN FC, ESPN Argentina, ESPN Brazil, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Mexico)” and that it will reveal five every day until the World Cup begins.
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The Chelsea FC playmaker is also regarded as one of the most important, if not the most important, player for Brazil ahead of even Neymar. Neymar is the flair player who will score the goals but Oscar is the engine in the middle of the park and he will seek to recapture his lost form. Oscar started the season off well and was good enough to convince Jose Mourinho to start him over Juan Mata in central midfield but his form suffered as fatigue and injury piled up in 2014
Here is what ESPN had to say about Oscar:
"No. 25 Oscar, Chelsea/BrazilWhy he’s ranked: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho stated his intention to build his team around the seemingly frail Oscar at the start of the last Premier League season, and his January decision to sell Juan Mata to Manchester United was partly inspired by that choice. Oscar’s agility, passing range, scoring touch and energy are major qualities, despite the 22-year-old’s cooling down in the second half of the season.Key stat: Chelsea are unbeaten in all 11 Premier League games in which Oscar has scored (9-0-2).What the experts say: “[He is] a modern midfielder, skilled and very fast — very different from the stereotype of the classic Brazilian number 10.” – Gustavo Hofman, ESPN Brasil“Oscar gained mass and a few pounds in Europe, which allowed him to cope with heavy defending in England. [He is] blessed with great vision and more than capable of finishing both inside and outside the area.” – Paulo Cobos, ESPN Brasil“Despite being one of the most underrated players at this summer’s tournament, he will definitely be one of the men to watch. After he shined at the U-20 World Cup, Luiz Felipe Scolari made him his midfielder of choice.” – Damian Didonato, ESPN Argentina“Oscar might be Brazilian, but he’s actually the epitome of a European-style number 10. He doesn’t showcase the languid, slow approach favoured in South America — he’s quick, versatile and tactically aware, and he gets through his defensive work diligently. His first outstanding display in European club football was at home to Juventus: He didn’t simply score two superb goals, he marked Andrea Pirlo effectively too. For Brazil, he plays a disciplined role, drifting deep and to the flanks to allow Paulinho, Hulk and Neymar to charge toward goal. It’s tough to see a replacement for him in the Brazil 23.” – Michael Cox"
Oscar is ranked ahead of midfield maestros such as Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil, and David Silva. This may seem a bit premature to some but the importance of Oscar to Brazil’s chances cannot be overstated. As Oscar goes, as does Brazil and his countrymen will hope that he leads the Seleccao right to their sixth World Cup trophy.
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