Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has not given up on Oscar.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
Juventus have long been mooted as a possible buyer and fresh reports this week have suggested Mourinho will sell the midfielder to help finance a deal for wantaway Liverpool ace Raheem Sterling.
Oscar has been outshone by PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard in SW6 this year as the Belgian wizard has sprinkled stardust up and down Premier League stadiums.
Hazard has reached an elite level this term, contributing 14 goals and nine assists to fire Chelsea to the Premier League title, which they will lift after Sunday’s visit of Sunderland.
But Mourinho reckons Oscar, who is sitting out the end of the season due to injury, isn’t too far behind the former Lille star in his development and will benefit from an extended break.
Mourinho explained: “If tonight I don’t sleep well, tomorrow my work will be a disaster.
“I need to sleep well and I think my players need to rest. Football is not giving them that rest.
“Oscar, I don’t have the numbers, but he played everywhere in the last three years at the World Cup, Olympic Games and the Copa America.
“Now, because he’s not selected because of his injury, he’s going to have a proper rest, a proper holiday and a proper pre-season.
“That can give a base for the top. Pre-season is very important.
“I really believe in Oscar’s talent. He did well in the Premier League in the seasons since he came to Chelsea and I have many, many hopes.”
Meanwhile, Oscar’s compatriot Nathan will not be part of Mourinho’s first-team plans next term as the Blues plan to send him out on loan for the 2015-16 campaign.
Mourinho confirmed: “Nathan is not going to be in Chelsea’s squad next year.
“You buy in good circumstances. You buy before the price goes to the moon. The player belongs to you.
“You have a player on loan and in the right moment you bring him back.”
Chelsea fans will now get the chance to celebrate the club’s Premier League and Capital One Cup double with the players with the open-top bus parade from midday on Monday.
