Replacing a legend is no easy task. When that legend is Didier Drogba, who left
the club on the highest of high notes, that task can be viewed as near impossible. During yesterday’s clash between Chelsea and
Juventus, Oscar declared himself up to the challenge.
After Oscar was awarded the #11 shirt vacated by Drogba,
some Chelsea fans questioned whether he was worthy of living up to the
expectations associated with it. Oscar
put on a fantastic display during the Olympic Games, with fantastic distribution
and a lethal scoring touch. The question
remained whether he would be able to perform at the highest levels of European
football.
Oscar’s first appearances as a Chelsea player came as a
substitute. After being a capable replacement for Eden Hazard in Chelsea’s
Premier League opener against Wigan, he was decidedly more involved in their
second match against Reading. Oscar
entered the pitch in the 57th minute for his fellow countryman
Ramires. He was effective, but
uninvolved in the final two goals of Chelsea’s 4-2 victory. The questions Chelsea fans were asking went
unanswered in the squad’s disappointing performance against Athletico Madrid in
the European Super Cup.
Those questions were answered last night when Roberto Di
Matteo chose Oscar in his starting XI for his Champions League debut. Oscar’s evening began with a powered shot
from outside the area that deflected into the goal, earning his first goal for
Chelsea. Two minutes later Oscar’s
genius revealed itself again.
After accepting a pass in the crowded space outside the
penalty area, Oscar created space with a deft touch that evaded Andrea
Pirlo. Following that touch, Oscar
thumped a curling shot that Gianluigi Buffon could not stop. The wonder strike entered the top corner of
the net sending Stamford Bridge into a roaring ovation. The two strikes earned Oscar Man of the Match
honors as well as the respect of the legendary Buffon who said “I won’t say it’s
nice to concede a goal, but it’s nice to be a part of a goal like that, compliments
for him.”
The evening did not end as spectacularly for the Brazilian
as it had begun. Chelsea squandered the
2-0 lead that he had earned them thanks to goals from Arturo Vidal and Fabio
Quagliarella. Oscar’s substitution was
forced following a late stomping challenge from Leonardo Bonucci, which angered
manager Roberto Di Matteo. Following the
match, Oscar commented that he would have been happier with a win.
Oscar’s emergence is the latest in Chelsea’s development
which has seen the squad become younger with a decidedly Brazilian
influence. Oscar is now the fourth
Brazilian player bought in recent years, and since joining David Luiz, Lucas
Piazon, and Ramires he has blended in well.
Oscar has been assisted by Lucas Piazon who has translated questions and
responses for Oscar during interviews.
He appears to have good relationships with the lovable geezer David Luiz
and fellow newcomer Eden Hazard.
The Chelsea kit’s first star was earned by Drogba and the Old Guard, it is now up to this generation of talents to earn the next. If Oscar and Hazard continue performing as they have, they could be able to add a second.
The Chelsea kit’s first star was earned by Drogba and the Old Guard, it is now up to this generation of talents to earn the next. If Oscar and Hazard continue performing as they have, they could be able to add a second.