Chelsea legend, Oscar, returns to his boyhood club, Sau Paulo. During eight years at Shanghai Port in China, he earned a massive £175 million. He is going back to where it all started for him, this is a full circle in his career.
Reportedly making £400,000 per week, Oscar spent eight years in China. He was with Shanghai Port, and he’s back at the club of his pro debut in 2008, Sao Paulo. Five successful years at Chelsea were enjoyed by Oscar, who won the Premier League, Europa League and League Cup.
That trend, of players moving to China for lucrative contracts, saw him make the move to the Chinese Super League. This trend has since faded. While the landscape changed, Oscar, remained loyal to Shanghai and claimed three Super Leagues, Super Cup and Chinese Cup there.
Legend in Chinese football, he would earn an incredible £175m. Now, he’s back in Sao Paulo. ‘I’m happy about coming back to Brazil and playing for Sao Paulo,’ Oscar said. And thanking his fans, he promised to do the best he could. Shanghai was a life-changing experience [it was] said he also reflected on his time at the city.
Although he acknowledged the hard work, dedication and victories the club had achieved he warned that ‘neither the fans nor the club will accept mediocrity’. The club believed in him and he thanked them. Sao Paulo, who finished sixth in the Brazilian Serie A last season, have signed Oscar.
Well-known players such as Luis Gustavo and Lucas Moura will play alongside him. Buzz will take to the Brazil State Championship, playing Inter de Limeira on January 15.
Oscar heading back to Sau Paulo
Oscar’s return to Sao Paulo is a big thing in football. It explores how returning home continues to be attractive to football transfers; and how the game has become a global phenomenon.
It is a compelling story of a boyhood club journeyman from a promising youth player at Sao Paulo, a multi-millionaire star in China back to his boyhood club. He is super profitable in China, but he is moving on to the next chapter in his career in Brazil.
Football transfers are a different prospect these days. Now, the massive influx of money into the Chinese Super League — players such as Oscar — has more or less calmed down. Some of China’s many clubs found themselves in a financial crunch, thus clubs reduced expenses on foreign players.
With players like Oscar seeking new options, it has meant others coming back to their home countries or leagues backed with more stable financials. The economic details of football are clearer and clubs are focusing on sustainability, not rabid spending.
players returning to childhood clubs
Financial fair play rules are being implemented in many leagues to stabilize clubs financially. Clubs don’t want to overspend for fear of financial ruin. The result is a more level transfer market, where the ability to make strategic acquisitions is worth more than just buying big names.
Oscar’s return to Sao Paulo could affect things in several ways. First, it will be good publicity for the club, and more people will be entertained. Second, his experience and talent can be great for him on the pitch and maybe help make the team better.
In the second, it tells the other players that coming home does not have to be the end of your story. That could help other Brazilian players playing overseas come back to their home league. Thirdly, it points out why youth development is a critical issue.
Autor’s opinion
Oscar’s take home is nice, but apart from his youthful price tag, Sao Paulo nurtured his talent and its value. It will be watched to see if it has an impact on Sao Paulo’s performance. Experts say his presence will make the team more potent in attack and also result in more goalscoring opportunities. He will also be leading younger players, and that too will be important in his leadership qualities.
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