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Oscar on his arrival in China.
China in his hands

'I'm a pioneer!' - Oscar says China's money is good for football

The Brazil international says he headed to Asia to help the game grow.

OSCAR CONSIDERS THE high-profile players to have joined the ranks of the Chinese Super League to be “pioneers” and maintains the riches on offer in Asia are “good for football”.

The Brazil international completed a big-money move to Shanghai SIPG before Christmas for a reported fee of €68.2 million, prompting many to question his professional ambition.

He is by no means the only one to have made such a move, though, and speculation continues to suggest that numerous other big-name stars, such as his ex-Chelsea team-mate Diego Costa, could soon be joining him in the CSL.

Oscar insists he can only see positives in the career decision he has taken, to help football develop in different areas of the world.

He told www.sc.qa during a visit to Qatar:

I am one of the pioneers, along with those players who went before me, and I’m coming to China to help the league and help more players get to know this league.

“It is good for football that the game grows in new areas of the world. China has invested a lot of money in the league and every team now has good players. This will help raise the level of the league and football in the country.”

He continued:

“I haven’t stayed there a long time yet, just two days in Shanghai, but the impressions were great, the buildings are amazing and it is a very nice city. My priority is to win the league this season.”

Oscar has not completely turned his back on the past, though, as he still maintains an interest in the Premier League.

He is hoping to see his former employers at Stamford Bridge go on to claim the English top-flight crown, with Antonio Conte having helped Chelsea to open up a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

“My focus is on China but I still watch the Premier League sometimes,” Oscar explained.

“Of course I support Chelsea.”

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