Transfer Centre

Antonio Conte all but confirms Oscar exit

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 16 December 2016

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte all but confirms that Oscar will leave the club to join Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG in January.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has all but confirmed that Oscar will leave the club to join Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG in January.

The Brazilian is set to bring an end to his four-and-a-half-year stay at Stamford Bridge in a deal worth more than £50m which will see him earn a reported £400,000 a week.

Conte stressed the need for passion for the game to come above money - with John Terry and Cesc Fabregas also linked with a switch to China - but insists that Oscar will leave the club with his blessing.

"I think the most important thing for us must be the passion. Okay? The passion for football. If you haven't got that, it's no good. No good. I repeat: this concept is very important. Before the money must be the passion, the passion for the sport, for football," he told reporters.

"We started to play when we were children without money, and only for the passion. Then, also, came money but the passion is more important than money, for me. Oscar is a really good player. A good player. For me, I was very proud to have him in my squad and have him as my player. I'm proud of his attitude, his commitment and his behaviour, which have been fantastic.

"I have great respect for every decision made by a single player. If you ask me, 'are you sorry?', then yes, I am sorry. I am sorry because he's leaving as a really good player and a really good man. I must be honest about this. But, also, I understand him and his decision."

Oscar has made more than 200 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 38 goals and helping the club to three major trophies.