Oscar's performance emphasises that Roberto Di Matteo now has a plethora of options in midfield. But Adam Bate wonders whether the Blues have the back-up in attack to mount a prolonged challenge at home and abroad this season.
Friday 21 September 2012 15:24, UK
So was it the Oscar for best performance or for best original score? The puns keep coming for the Brazilian's brilliant brace on Wednesday night but the pundits are even more effusive in their praise.
The former Liverpool man has played more than 20 Premier League games in just one of the last four seasons. That must be a concern if there are plans to run the forward into the ground in the coming months. Don't be surprised if the Spaniard is pointing to his punishing schedule rather than his joy at being the main man come the business end of the season And if that proves to be the case, regardless of Oscar's remarkable full debut, Chelsea's embarrassment of riches in midfield could just become an embarrassing lack of squad balance by the climax of this promising campaign.