FORMER CHELSEA ATTACKING midfielder Oscar has admitted that his shock move to Shanghai back in January was influenced by a need to provide for his family as opposed to the progression of his footballing career.
The Brazil international made the surprising switch from Premier League to the Chinese Super League for a reported £60m near the peak of his powers, aged 25, in a move which was roundly criticised by purists who deemed the playmaker greedy.
Having only recently turned 26, Oscar remains hopeful that he can emulate international team-mate Paulinho in securing a move back to a major European club in a couple of years’ time, and believes he’s young enough to make his mark on European football in due course.
“Every football player, or every person who works, wants to earn money to help their families,” he told Copa 90 in a video interview produced by Rabona Magazine. “I came from a social background in Brazil that is very poor.
“All the foreign players who come here are at a really high level. China has incredible financial power and sometimes makes offers that players can’t refuse.
I hope that in two or three years’ time – or when my contract here ends and I have helped the team to win titles – I could go back to a big team in Europe. Because what I like most is to play at a high level.
Oscar continued: “When I was talking with Shanghai, I was talking to big clubs from Europe as well. There was Atlético Madrid, who I almost joined. I liked them very much and what they were offering me at that time. There was also Juventus, Inter and AC Milan. I had some options but I opted for Shanghai.
“Afterwards I can still return to Europe. When I made the decision to come here, I was thinking more of my family than of my career. I had other very good offers from big teams in Europe. But I thought a little more of my family, and after that – I am still young – I can return.”
You can view his interview in full below, courtesy of Copa 90.
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