19 April 2023 , 01:00
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Former Chelsea star Oscar has lauded the latest Brazilian player to be signed by his old club - even if he thinks the team is currently a "difficult" one to adapt to.
After signing in 2012, the 31-year-old played 203 times for The Blues in a five year stint, helping them to two Premier League titles, a League Cup, and Europa League win. A big money move to Chinese Super League team Shanghai Port followed, a transfer questioned at the time by pundits who argued the midfielder still had much to give in England.
But Oscar remains one of many stars from his homeland to become cult heroes at Stamford Bridge. The likes of Willian, David Luiz, and now Thiago Silva have also cemented themselves in folklore with the club - and now a new Samba signing his out to follow in their footsteps.
Andrey Santos, who signed in January before being loaned back to Vasco Da Garma, has been capped by his country despite being just 18-years-old. And for Oscar, the young star triggers memories of another former Brazil and Chelsea player who made his mark on London.
“Andrey will be more like Ramires, he’s a defensive midfielder," he said, to . "I saw some of his games in the under 20 national team, he’s a boy who has a super opportunity to succeed at Chelsea."
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And whilst he was hardly glowing about the current club set-up, amid a host of new January signings, he backed Santos to find his way: “Right now they have signed many and almost none of them are working because it’s a difficult team to adapt to," he added. "But he has everything to achieve, there’s this history of Brazilians who play in midfield and worked out well.”
Santos was one of eight players Chelsea brought in January (Getty Images)Ramires himself won five major medals at Chelsea, although his defining night with the club was as glorious as it was heartbreaking. He struck a crucial goal in the Nou Camp as Roberto Di Matteo's men pulled off an incredible semi final comeback, but his yellow card that night meant he missed the final with suspension.
As for Oscar, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he will be back on the Premier League and Champions League stages again. And whilst denying that he was actively seeking a move back to these shores, he also declared himself open to potential offers.
“The Premier League is my favourite league," he said. "It’s where I played, where I adapt very well, there’s a game similar to mine, a dynamic and very fast game, so it was a league that I really enjoyed playing. If I could go back to the Premier League, that would be really cool. I also like Italy, I have an Italian passport.”