In 2012, on his first start for Chelsea, A 21-year-old Oscar scored one of the best goals ever seen at Stamford Bridge against Juventus.
Many thought a star had just been born. However, it was not to be. Over the next five years, he would offer occasional glimpses of great talent but would mostly flatter to deceive.
Chelsea fans were not particularly disappointed when the Brazilian left for China in a big money deal in January 2017.
Oscar, the player, has been rather forgotten by the world and dismissed as player who never fulfilled his potential and chased the money in the Far East.
However, this season, the Brazilian has set a number of records, both personal and in the Chinese Super League itself. He has set a new career high scoring record with 16 goals. He has broken the league’s assist record with 18 to his name. His team, Shanghai SIPG, with five games to go, are on course to break Guangzhou’s 7 – year title streak.
Oscar is still only 27 years old. He recently spoke of his wish to one day return to Chelsea. Just maybe, the boy wonder who was written off as he departed for China, is primed for a return as the player we hoped he could have been.