Some Lampard-like things Oscar Did vs Belarus

With the acquisition of Marko Marin, Eden Hazard and Oscar, Chelsea now have plenty of options to fill the 3rd band of the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. It is uncertain where Roberto di Matteo sees Oscar playing in the Chelsea lineup but the Brazilian seems to have the skill set and the attitude to wear a couple of differ hats in midfield.

Despite playing primarily as an attacking midfielder behind the striker for Brazil prior to the Olympics, Oscar has shown his versatility in London 2012, playing various positions in midfield – across all three roles behind the striker (4-2-3-1 vs Egypt and Belarus), left midfield (4-3-3 vs Belarus) and right midfield (4-diamond-2 vs Egypt).

Graham MacAree of WAGNH has made the case that Oscar has the potential to be Frank Lampard’s current backup and future replacement. Now Lampard is a rare specimen – a hardworking box-to-box midfielder with a striker’s instinct (and finish). It will certainly take a lot to fill this Chelsea legend’s boots in midfield, but Oscar emulated a few of Lampard-like qualities in Brazil’s victory over Belarus. Yes, I’ve already written a performance report of Oscar in that game but now I have the GIFs to make a specific point now. Some Lampard-like things Oscar did against Belarus after the jump! #GIFathon

The Switch

Receiving the ball on one side of the pitch and then switching the point of attack to the opposite side is an important part of Lampard’s game. This not only helps the team maintain possession, but it also allows Lampard to make his routine forward runs while the attack build up on the opposite flank. By the time a cross or a cut-back is made into the box, he is ready to finish them from in and around the opposition’s box.

Even when starting higher up the pitch of a 4-2-3-1, Oscar drops deeper time and time again to do the switch, and then moves forward centrally. There are 3 examples of the switch (and there were plenty in the game) in the above GIF. One left-to-right switch to right back Rafael; another right-to-left switch to left back Marcelo; and finally right-to-left switch to forward Neyar, followed by a forward run to receive the pass back before shooting from distance (blocked by his teammate Hulk).

Long Range Shots

Creative midfielders tend to prioritize passing over shooting. Their first instinct sways them to look for a through-ball or a chipped pass even when they themselves have a chance to test the keeper from the distant. The likes of Ozil, Xavi and Iniesta are in this camp. Lampard, unlike these creative kinds, is not shy to take a blast from distance and has scored many long range strikes in his Chelsea career.

The previous GIF already showed Oscar taking a shot from outside the box, but this one reinforces the Brazilian's willingness to shot from distance when given the chance. Only a fine save from the Belarus keeper prevented the ball ending up in the back of the net.

Getting On the Nod/Flick-on

If you have watched Chelsea play religiously over the past decade, you are very familiar with this scene: a cross comes in from the wing; the forward gets some kind of a touch -- a nod or a flick-on -- sending the ball in and around the six yard box; Lampard, after a well-timed forward run, reacts before anyone and get on the second ball, often scoring from close range.

Well, Oscar did just that in the above GIF and would have scored, if not for an excellent tackle from the Belarus defender. A cross from Marcelo was nodded back down to the danger zone by Pato. Oscar's run was perfectly timed to finish that chance from about 6-yards out.

Scoring

A comparison to Lampard without the ability to score will always be fatally flawed. The man's legacy is built on his ability to find the net like a striker (or even better than some strikers). Oscar ticks this check box with his goal against Belarus. The hard work was done by Neymar in creating the chance, but there was only one player who saw the opportunity to support his teammate with a forward run and reaped the reward for his effort. A composed finish gets Brazil the 3-1 win.

IT WILL BE unwise to draw serious conclusions from a couple of highlights from a game. This post is not meant as a proof that Oscar will be the new Lampard. A player's career can take many different twists and truns, and football is anything but predictable. But Oscar has definitely shown the potential to follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest Chelsea players ever in history. And that's makes me pretty happy.

Carefree, wherever you may be...