Thought it was interesting how deep he was coming to receive the ball last night, sometimes deeper than Matic and Fabregas.

Played much more like a midfielder than a number 10.

I don't think he did anything spectacular but at the same time I don't think he did anything wrong either.

The team last night was pretty much the starting XI I would like to see most weeks although I'm hoping for Luis to come in at left back to give us more natural width down the left.

In regards to the last bit would you drop Ivan or Azpi?

I thought Ivan was such a threat and his pass for the Cesc assist was outstanding but I did think he left big gaps down that side that left us quite open at times.

I know I'm very biased, but I think Oscar was conserving himself for the world cup, let him regain his confidence and let's see if he does an Aaron Ramsey. A loan spell at a big club might be an option too.

 

Now why would we ever think you are bias 

I thought he was good last night, saw plenty of the ball, his passing looked somewhat better and he's already showing a great understanding with Fabregas. The two should in theory be an excellent combination, each is strong in the places where the other is weak. It's incredible just how much we've upgraded our midfield in the space of eight months.

I've been one of Oscar's most vocal critics recently but can't complain about his performance yesterday. Pressed the ball well, dropped deep to help us keep posession and allowed Cesc to get forward. Really in that 4-3-3 Cesc seemed to be the furthest man forward, which is probably for the best, whether Oscar is good enough to stay ahead of Willian or Ramires in that role we won't be able to tell until we come up against better opposition.

 

For yesterdays purposes he was fine.

In regards to the last bit would you drop Ivan or Azpi?

I thought Ivan was such a threat and his pass for the Cesc assist was outstanding but I did think he left big gaps down that side that left us quite open at times.

Dave is my preference at right back, it's his natural position and generally he offers more than Ivan can going forward.

Thought it was interesting how deep he was coming to receive the ball last night, sometimes deeper than Matic and Fabregas.

Played much more like a midfielder than a number 10.

I don't think he did anything spectacular but at the same time I don't think he did anything wrong either.

The team last night was pretty much the starting XI I would like to see most weeks although I'm hoping for Luis to come in at left back to give us more natural width down the left.

 

That's how I saw it too and that's why out of the starting 11 last night, his place is probably the one most under threat, especially as we have the likes of Willian, Ramires, Van Ginkel, Ake, Baker etc..........

 

It's early days and the team looked great last night, but you are always looking to improve and see if there are weaknesses and last night, for me, Oscar was the one player whose position looked vulnerable.

Dave is my preference at right back, it's his natural position and generally he offers more than Ivan can going forward.

 

But on last nights performance it would be hard to leave Ivan out. Thought he was brilliant and he also scores so many important goals for us. As Gary Neville said, when we have a corner or set piece and we now have JT, Ivan, Matic, Costa and Cahill in the box - that is quite a lot to aim for and cause problems for any defence.

That's how I saw it too and that's why out of the starting 11 last night, his place is probably the one most under threat, especially as we have the likes of Willian, Ramires, Van Ginkel, Ake, Baker etc..........

It's early days and the team looked great last night, but you are always looking to improve and see if there are weaknesses and last night, for me, Oscar was the one player whose position looked vulnerable.

Well I didn't think Matic looked especially good last but fully expect him to play most games.

Same with Oscar for me, he wont always come up with the spectacular but he will be in there working hard and creating space for others.

Willian is going to be competing with Schurrle to start on the right in my eyes and on end product Schurrle is going to win that competion every time.

Van Ginkel might get chances but I suppose it depends if he is fully recovered from his injury yet, might be a couple of months before he's near to match sharpness to start pushing others for a place.

I expect Ramires to replace Oscar against top six sides as he did for a quite a few of those matches last season.

I don't think Baker is getting anywhere near the team especially ahead of a fit Oscar and I think Ake is going to be used for defensive cover.

But on last nights performance it would be hard to leave Ivan out. Thought he was brilliant and he also scores so many important goals for us. As Gary Neville said, when we have a corner or set piece and we now have JT, Ivan, Matic, Costa and Cahill in the box - that is quite a lot to aim for and cause problems for any defence.

Just a personal preference, I don't think we need to rely on set pieces for goals and think with natural width and overlap the likes of Schurrle and Hazard will benefit more in open play from the extra space that can create.

This is nothing against Ivan who I rate very highly and I wouldn't even have any issues with him replacing Cahill in central defends as I actually think he's a better player but for the right full back position I think Dave is the better option.

Thought oscar was a solid 7/10 yesterday, he was involved in a lot of the intricate passing moves, and he won the header that lead to the first goal.

I think he is definitely part of our strongest 11, and playing with fabregas will elevate his game.

I didn't think Oscar really offered much last night, he didn't do anything 'badly' as such but he was the one player who stood out to me as the one who gave the least to the side.

Just a personal preference, I don't think we need to rely on set pieces for goals and think with natural width and overlap the likes of Schurrle and Hazard will benefit more in open play from the extra space that can create.

This is nothing against Ivan who I rate very highly and I wouldn't even have any issues with him replacing Cahill in central defends as I actually think he's a better player but for the right full back position I think Dave is the better option.

 

Spot on.

 

We really do have some good problems in our squad in terms of selection!

I don't think Oscar did anything particularly wrong last night. It seemed to be that he was doing a fine job of filling in the gaps left by Hazard, Schurrle and Fabregas whenever they got forward. I don't think there was a need for him to do anything spectacular. 

 

7/10 for me.

I agree with the general sentiment, he didn't do anything wrong but he didn't stand out either.  It's hard to figure out exactly what his best role in the team is meant to be.  He should get a good run of games for the moment so hopefully he flourishes in that midfield 3.  He seemed to work well with Fabregas and Matic, wonderful balance in there and he can pass much better than Ramires.

In the bigger games do we see him in there or does Jose go with a Ramires type with a better engine?

Assuming everyone stays fit I can see Ramires and/or Mikel getting the nod ahead of Oscar in the bigger games. Oscar is perhaps better suited against teams that park the bus against us. I thought he did well last night, linked up play and covered when needed... no complaints. An auxiliary role in the team (that is, someone we don't rely on as much as Fabregas/Hazard but contributes to our momentum) may be what he needs to kick on.

Edited August 19, 201411 yr by the special one

Also, we can't fully judge him on one game, like I said, I think he was saving himself for the World Cup, I think he will have a good season.

Alan Smith made an interesting point in the Telegraph about how Oscar and Fabregas effectively rotated their positions during the Burnley game from time to time. So when Oscar came deep to receive the ball Fabregas would move forward to fill the void left between the opposition midfield and defence. I can see this being a trend that continues throughout the season and it could be something to help Oscar rediscover his form. His main role will still be as the no.10 of course but adding a wrinkle like this to his game and to our attacking structure should make it tougher for the opposition to deal with our midfield. Hopefully Oscar can find more pockets of space this way. 

I thought he had a sound game. Nothing remarkable really, and out of the three behind Costa probably the worst, but it was a step up from his poor run in last season. Hope he can improve as the season progresses.

Steady improvement.

Thought Willian done more when he came on, think he should start the next game

Thought Willian done more when he came on, think he should start the next game

Oscar hit the inside of the post and played the through ball to Ivan for the opening goal, I don't think he deserves to lose his place in the team.

Wonderful improvement today. Probed and passed and a beautiful ball through four defenders for Ivanovic to set up Costa. A stark contrast in energy and commitment to the £27m Fibreglass who didn't deign Stamford Bridge worthy of him breaking out into more than a jog.

Oscar was very good second half.

pretty ineffective until he hit the post with that shot. Had a good spell thereafter.

 

Schurlle - willian - Hazard next game for me