Oscar enjoyed a great spell at Stamford Bridge after his £19 move from Brazil’s Sao Paulo. The “baby-faced assassin” went on to amass over 200 appearances for the West London side and won two league titles in the process as well. He was shipped for a lucrative deal to China’s Shanghai SIPG in December 2016.
But the 26-year-old Brazilian insists the opportunity to return to Chelsea at some stage would be too good to turn down.
Asked if he would like to play in the Premier League again, Oscar told PL Brazil: ‘Yes, I would go back! I’m still young, I’m 26.
‘Who knows in two, three years to return to the Premier League I would be very happy. And preferably for Chelsea, who opened the doors for me to return.’ Oscar had become an influential player for Chelsea but says he was forced to consider offers from China after Antonio Conte changed the team’s system. ‘The proposal I had, from the situation that was happening to me at the club, too. The first eight games I played very well, then I had a League Cup game that I left and the team lost and changed,’ he added.
‘Then he [Antonio Conte] changed the team’s way of playing in a 3-4-3 and I did not play anymore, I did not have a position to play because I’m a more offensive midfielder and then changed a lot. ‘So I decided to leave too, but I left the door open.’ Oscar also revealed his admiration for Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard, who he says he learned a lot from.
The attacking midfielder said: ‘It is difficult to speak of a single player. I think a player who passed me, who impressed me a lot is Lampard, a guy who trains 100 percent all the time. ‘I really enjoyed playing with him, I learned a lot. He impressed me a lot. Not only him, many others, but he is an example of a guy that I trained and saw every day.’
Chelsea recovered well from an opening day defeat against Burnley but the loss against Manchester City last week is seen by many as a major blow to their title hopes.
But Oscar insists his former club will remain in the title race right up until the end of the season. ‘I think Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea will fight until the end,’ the 26-year-old playmaker told PL Brasil.
‘Of course, Manchester City and Manchester United are appearing for the games they are doing, for the goals they are applying, but Chelsea are a very strong team. ‘Conte sets up a team to play as a team, which is very good. It’s very difficult to score goals against Conte’s teams, so I think Chelsea will come and fight until the end. ‘I think the three teams will fight and will reach the end.’
Chelsea face Crystal Palace when the Premier League returns to action after the international break.
