Chelsea Transfer News: Oscar to Be 'Offered' in Latest Paul Pogba Rumours

Juventus’ apparent interest in Chelsea midfielder Oscar could be key to Bianconeri star Paul Pogba potentially moving to Stamford Bridge this summer, according to reports.

As noted by Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri has admitted he’s a fan of the Brazil international, and the prospect of Oscar being used as a makeweight in any deal for Pogba has been mentioned previously.

“A wildcard in the line-up can bring a different balance to the table,” said the Italian. “Ego in moderate amounts is not harmful to a team’s health. I like Real Madrid’s Isco and Brazil’s Oscar. The addition of a No. 10 to the mix is both a tactical desire and a desire to add ego to my team.”

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The Chelsea man is certainly a player who fits the bill in that sense. Though Blues boss Jose Mourinho regularly withdraws Oscar from the starting XI for the games in which some added defensive solidity is required, his talent in possession can give Chelsea a vital edge when they are playing against a team that sits deep and looks to frustrate.

It’s a problem Juventus often encounter in Serie A, and if they were to land a player with the kind of cerebral traits Oscar possesses, it’d make a major difference to their cause. As the player himself noted recently in an interview with Squawka (h/t Chelsea HQ), he’s learned plenty about the role of a No. 10 during his time in the Premier League:

But would Chelsea sacrifice his intricate talents if it meant bringing Pogba to the club? According to Sport, Mourinho has already discussed a potential transfer with the 22-year-old Frenchman and would be willing to utilise Oscar and Juan Cuadrado as part of any deal for the midfield sensation.

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The piece claims Mourinho would be willing to part with €50 million and Oscar to sign Pogba; getting the Juventus man would represent a dream capture for the Blues, as Bleacher Report’s Garry Hayes noted earlier in the year:

On paper, Pogba is more of a Mourinho player than Oscar. While the Brazilian is not one to shirk his defensive duties, the blend of power, poise and panache the former Manchester United man possesses would have the Portuguese coach enamoured.

As we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com, for all of Pogba’s aesthetic skills, he’s a fearsome defensive player too:

That fact won’t have escaped Mourinho, and the prospect of the Bianconeri maestro lining up alongside Nemanja Matic at the base of the Blues midfield is an ominous one for the rest of the Premier League. But with Barcelona reportedly already having a verbal agreement for the player, according to Sport, any deal for Pogba will be far from straightforward.

Here’s a look at what the midfielder would bring to Stamford Bridge:

While the Blues’ desire to sign Pogba is understandable, it’d be a shame to see Oscar sacrificed as a result. The Brazilian adds a completely different dimension to this Chelsea team, and to lose his incisive skill set, even though they’d be getting one of the best midfielders in the world as a result, would be to their detriment.

Pogba is going to cost any side a hefty transfer fee if he’s to be prised away from Turin this summer, and while such a massive amount is likely to create some doubts, he’s well worth the stratospheric figures being touted. If he’s available and keen to link up with Mourinho, Chelsea should have no qualms about stumping up the money.