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END# « Previous: No. 26 David Silva | Next: No. 24 Karim Benzema »No. 25 Oscar, Chelsea/Brazil Why 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. #INSERT
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caption: Where does Oscar fit in for Luiz Felipe Scolari and the Brazilian World Cup squad?
END# 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 What You Think: Other articles:
- ESPN FC Blogs: Brazil
- The countdown: Our Top 50 players of the World Cup « Previous: No. 26 David Silva | Next: No. 24 Karim Benzema »
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