LONDON — Brazil midfielder Oscar has insisted talk of a proposed transfer to Chelsea won’t distract him from the business of trying to win football gold at the London Olympics.
The 20-year-old has long been linked with a move to the reigning European champions, but Oscar said any talks with the club were of secondary importance ahead of Brazil’s campaign that starts against Egypt in Cardiff tomorrow.
“I am not really even thinking about it (a move to Chelsea) much. I am just focused on the Olympic Games,” Oscar said Monday.
“They (his agent and advisers) are sorting those other things out for me, and keeping me informed. I just focus on playing here and on growing and becoming better.
“Like all the team, I am totally focused on winning the gold medal.”
Oscar, currently with Internacional, had no doubt his game could flourish in the English Premier League.
“I am confident in my ability. If I go to Chelsea it will be a dream come true. They are one of the greatest teams in Europe. I am confident I will have a good Olympics and, if I go to Chelsea, I will arrive feeling good.
“If I go, I will just keep on doing what I have been doing at Internacional, which is working hard to improve all the time.”
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For Brazil, Oscar has been given the No 10 shirt – a jersey made famous by Pele, three-times a World Cup winner with the South Americans and widely regarded as one of football’s greatest, if not the greatest, players.
“Everything is happening to me very quickly and it is a source of pride to wear the Brazil shirt, especially the No 10. So I will work very hard to prove that I am worth it,” Oscar said.
“I have always worn the No 10 shirt when I played at lower levels and, obviously, my reference point was always Pele and then Ronaldinho. I am proud to follow in their footsteps and hope I will be worthy of it.”
