FORMER CHELSEA midfielder Oscar wants to return to Stamford Bridge before he retires.
And he has revealed why Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah never made it at the Blues.
Oscar wants to return to ChelseaCredit: AFP or licensors
The Brazilian midfielder, 29, has been playing in China for Shanghai SIPG since leaving Chelsea in January 2017.
He has been pocketing a staggering £400,000-a-week with the Chinese Super League side and admitted he couldn’t turn down such money at the time.
However, the talented centre-midfielder has never forgotten his time in West London and would love to return.
He told the Guardian: “I don’t think about leaving China. There is a great project for me here. But, to end my career, I would like to return to Chelsea.
“I built a beautiful story there and went to the Premier League very young, at a time when fans did not trust Brazilian players that much. I helped change that.
“I’ll be a bit older when I try this move again but, as I am playing very well, with good stats, I feel there is still a place for me at Chelsea.”
Oscar spent five years with the Blues between 2012 and 2017.
And he played with Manchester City and Liverpool stars De Bruyne and Salah.
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The Brazilian thinks injuries stopped Kevin De Bruyne from being a success at Stamford BridgeCredit: AFP – Getty
And he claimed Mo Salah was too shyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Neither player succeeded at Chelsea but have gone on to become two of the world’s best players since.
De Bruyne arrived in West London at the same time as Oscar while Salah – who team-mates nicknamed ‘training ground Messi’ – turned up in 2014.
And Oscar explained why the pair never shone for the Blues.
He said: “De Bruyne even gave me an assist.
“There was a formation where [Eden] Hazard, De Bruyne and I played in midfield and it worked well. He only had a few chances, played well but then got injured.
“I guess not being consistent at a club that had many options in the centre of the park meant he was not a good fit at the time.
“With Salah, it was different. He was unstoppable during practice, but always shy and quiet off the field.
“During the games, I guess he did not have the confidence that we saw at every club he played for after Chelsea, and especially now at Liverpool.”
Oscar also suggested José Mourinho’s demanding style affected the pair.
He added: “Sometimes players don’t feel comfortable with that pressure. I liked it because it made me better. Mourinho helped me a lot and he is one of the best coaches in the world.
“He gives a lot of confidence to his players, but also wants to see them perform at the level of that trust.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
