Analysis: Oscar vs. Ross Barkley

One has led to the demise of the once untouchable Juan Mata’s career in west London while the other has been hailed as the saviour of English football due to his technical brilliance on the ball, but who emerges victorious in the stats battle between Oscar and Ross Barkley?

Oscar has been in fine form at Stamford Bridge this season, derailing criticism that he lacked the upper body strength to perform consistency in the Premier League to be employed as one of Jose Mourinho’s chief attackers. Two years his junior, Barkley has excelled in his full debut season in the top flight, thriving under the expansive style of football employed by Roberto Martinez.

The pair operate in similar roles, as the middle man within a midfield trio that feeds a single striker ahead of them in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The team’s creativity stems from the midfielder that operates in said role, so it is a heavy burden to carry for young shoulders but the duo have both taken it in their stride this season and produced excellent displays.

Oscar has created significantly more chances than his counterpart despite just nine passes between them for successful passes. Barkley’s total of 21 chances is well below his highest scoring team mate Kevin Mirallas’ effort of 47. Only Leon Osman (15) has created less from midfield while full-backs Leighton Baines (24) and Seamus Coleman (27) are also ahead of the 20-year-old suggesting Barkley is not as creative as many would think. Meanwhile Oscar is third in Chelsea’s ranks, pipped by Willian and convincingly beaten by star performer Eden Hazard.

Meanwhile neither of the pair have managed to convert their chances into assists. Of course, they are not responsible for applying the finish as such, which could be put down to a poor shot from a team mate but while Oscar’s total of two is respectable, Barkley is yet to get off the mark, which is surprising given how often he pushes his team forwards into the final third. The England hopeful, who is set to snub a move to Stamford Bridge and sign a new deal at Goodison Park, will have to improve if he is to match the Chelsea man’s ability to pick a pass.

In the goalscoring stakes the Internacional man has twice Barkley’s total. Oscar has clearly improved his finishing this season, displaying calmness under pressure in one on one situations building on his ability to finished from distance.

Meanwhile, Barkley has scored three goals, but has fired in 60 shots, the fourth most from a midfielder in the league. Some players are nervous once they have broken into the first team and are afraid to shoot, often opting to feed a more established team-mate rather than risk criticism for a poor attempt, but Barkley’s confidence is clear to see.

He is willing to take a risk and try and test the goalkeeper and is encouraged to do so in Martinez’s fluid system. Oscar has a better shot accuracy but many managers prefer the approach from the Everton youngster. As he clearly possesses the ability to score from long range and set-pieces, demonstrated by his stunning free kick against Swansea, taking on a shot is a commendable trait, although it admittedly has a negative impact on occasion too.

One of the main reasons why Mourinho allowed Mata to leave west London was due to his belief in Oscar to fulfil the key midfield role that requires him to press high up the pitch and force his opponents into a mistake. The 22-year-old has won double the amount of tackles Barkley has managed, but also lost more too. The Brazilian will not shirk a physical encounter despite his slight frame and is happy to get stuck in. Barkley’s robust style and passion mean he is never too far away from a challenge but he needs to fine tune his positional play without the ball.

That said, with the ball at their feet there is clearly only one winner. Barkley has completed 58 take ons, the fifth best total in the league, which is almost triple Oscar’s effort of 21. Barkley is a natural talent that possesses a real instinct when to take his man on. With a burst of pace, he can glide past an opponent in an instant, that opens up a host of opportunities for his team and is probably his best attribute, along with technical ability.

The Blues’ midfielder has come out on top with the vital statistics of goal scored, assists and chances created all in his favour. Ultimately these are the three that all midfielders performances are judged on, but Barkley has performed brilliantly in his first full season in Everton’s first team.

It is intriguing that the two players from opposing continents are blessed with the talents more traditionally associated with their counterparts homeland. Barkley has the trickery and instinct to beat a man like many a Brazilian great while Oscar has shown a willingness to play his part defensively that we have grown to expect from a battle hardened Englishman that lacks technique but makes up for it with effort.

Both young men have bright futures ahead of them and will go on to become central figures at their respective clubs in the next couple of years, but if they continue their rich vein of form, they may well be lighting up the world stage in Brazil during the summer too.