What is so unique about the presence of Oscar, the "king of goals" in the Chinese Super League, is revealed by the statistics of the 2023 season. In that season, Oscar is said to have been involved in 205 attacks in the Premier League that ended with a shot on goal, a figure that is far higher than any other player, by at least 35 times (see graph below).
A closer look at this data chart shows that Wu Lei was right behind him, participating in Shanghai Port's offense with 170 shots on goal, which means that Oscar and Wu Lei, the Shanghai duo, together contributed 375 shots on goal. This kind of tacit understanding is like a sweet dance in which Oscar keeps sending out delicious cakes and Wu Lei turns them into goals again and again. It's no wonder that Wu Lei is at the top of the scorer's list.
The reason why Wu Lei is strong cannot be separated from Oscar's precise assist. Without Oscar, Wu Lei's performance would have been at least greatly reduced.
Again, the SIPG team with Oscar is a far cry from the SIPG team in Oscar's absence.
During the 2022 season, Oscar's inconsistent appearances led to SIPG slipping to fourth place in the league. Despite a lack of adequate preparation at the start of the season, Oscar's prolonged absence was a key factor.
Wu Lei returned in August last year and started to play for SIPG in the Chinese Super League in September. However, Wu Lei, who lacked Oscar's precise feeding, failed to play a decisive role in the team's ranking improvement despite his hard work.
The 2022 season not only showed the importance of Oscar to Shanghai Hong Kong, but also made Shanghai Hong Kong realize this deeply. This is also the reason why Oscar wants to go back to Brazil to play football, but Shanghai Hong Kong firmly retained - without Oscar, Wu Lei can not fly. Without Oscar, Hong Kong has lost the core and brain of the midfield.
At the end of the 2023 season, Hong Kong is facing the same decision again. How will the team react if Oscar wants to leave? Luckily, Oscar's interview has given Hong Kong a sigh of relief.
According to Global Sports, Oscar retains the option to return to Brazil, but he won't be following Shanghai Hong Kong. Especially his last sentence, "My plan is to finish the last year of my contract at Shanghai Harbor and then see what happens."
Previously, many SIPG fans were worried that Oscar would leave. Now that we have learned of his answer, everyone can be said to be relieved in advance, without having to worry about whether Oscar will continue to play in the Chinese Super League in the 2024 season.
Oscar's statement is extremely favorable to the Shanghai Hong Kong team - the 2024 season is full of hope! If Oscar stays in the team, Wu Lei's goal scoring rate and the possibility of winning the title for Shanghai Hong Kong will be greatly improved; if Oscar is in, Shanghai Hong Kong is also more confident in the AFC Champions League.
Of course, Oscar chose to stay not out of faith or charity, but out of personal interest. After all, with an annual salary of more than 20 million euros, no one is willing to refuse. Now, at a time when many Chinese Super League teams are facing salary arrears, Shanghai SIPG is still supporting the high-priced foreign aid, and one can't help but wonder - it's good to have money!
