Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho: Brazil play Oscar out of position

Brazil’s Oscar

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he believes Oscar has been played out of position during Brazil’s World Cup campaign this summer in order to accommodate golden boy Neymar.

The Selecao face Germany in the first semi-final of the tournament on Tuesday evening, with boss Luis Felipe Scolari faced with the daunting prospect of replacing Neymar, who was injured during the South Americans’ victory over Colombia last week.

The five time winners have been tipped to be eliminated without their talisman, but Mourinho is adamant that the Blues midfielder could hold the key to success if Scolari chooses to deploy Oscar, signed from Internacional for £25m in 2012,  in his favoured role behind the striker.

“It depends always what the coach has in his mind. It also depends on the strategy the coach has for the game – what is the game plan?

“I think Oscar is playing now in a position where Oscar is not Oscar, and the position where Oscar is Oscar is the position where Neymar is playing now,” he told reporters.

“Oscar was pushed to the right side for Neymar to play in that position with freedom behind the striker and that is the position where Oscar likes more to play.

“At the same time, Willian is a better player coming from the sides. In my opinion I would go with Oscar as a No. 10 and Willian coming from the side,” Mourinho insisted.

Despite Mourinho’s protestations as Oscar being utilised on the right flank, the 22-year-old has enjoyed a encouraging campaign following a disappointing second half to his domestic campaign in west London.

However, it is a huge ask for the youngster to step into Neymar’s shoes in the centre of the pitch and carry his side to the final, but if he did so, he would cement his place in Brazilian folklore.

Oscar has created seven chances for Brazil at the World Cup.