Before the mass exodus of top players making the move to Saudi Arabia, there was another up and coming football market who were threatening to make inroads on the European dominance of the game.
Chelsea have seen the likes of N’golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly all make switches to the Saudi Pro League in the last two years, with it normally being more experienced players moving there.
Even this summer though, the Blues sold youngster Angelo Gabriel there, turning a profit on his signing from earlier in the club’s project.
Before that though, a number of top players made the move to China, with this being the case for former Chelsea star Oscar.
The Brazilian just turned 33, and is now coming towards a decade of his career being a player over there.
Former Chelsea star Oscar starring in China
While Chelsea fans will be well aware of the quality the attacking midfielder possesses, they perhaps have never seen him as talented as he is right now.
Oscar sits on 21 assists in 23 games this season, with his Shanghai Port side sitting top of the table.
There will no doubt be great memories of his time at the club, with him linking up with the likes of Eden Hazard to great effect.
Oscar has previoiusly stated that he would love to return to Chelsea, however it feels as if that moment has now passed.
Chelsea’s future with Cole Palmer
The Blues are looking to a long future with Cole Palmer pulling the strings, with him performing at a superior level to most since his move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
Assists are an area he stars in too, with him already sitting on four in the opening three games of this season.
The importance he has on the current side is shown by the concern that runs through supporters after recent reports that he was struggling with his fitness ahead of their return to Premier League football.
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