Why’s Oscar going to China?

From Oscar’s new team-mates to where Shanghai SIPG’s finances come from, read our Q&A on the Chelsea player’s big-money move…

Why’s Oscar going to China?

There is one obvious reason why 25-year-old Oscar is switching the Premier League for the Chinese Super League: finances. The £60m transfer fee works out as a £35m profit for Chelsea on what they spent on the player in 2012. It was an offer too good to turn down.

The player is reportedly set to earn an astronomical £400,000 per week. Not bad work if you can get it.

But there is also an on-field factor for Oscar. He’s found himself on the fringes of Antonio Conte’s plans this season, making just five starts and four substitute appearances in the Premier League this season. He’ll be a first-choice pick in Shanghai, while his Brazil team-mate Paulinho has shown it is possible to revitalise your career in the Far East, following his struggles in England.

Who will Oscar be playing with at Shanghai SIPG?

While a transfer to China may seem like a big culture shift for Oscar, there will be a few familiar faces at his new club.

Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas – who left the Blues five months before the player arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2012 – is their manager. He took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson in November (Eriksson is still in China but at second-tier Shenzhen FC).

Oscar’s Brazil team-mate Hulk – who was signed from Zenit St Petersburg in June for £45.7m – is the club’s star striker.

In the Chinese Super League clubs are restricted to four foreign …

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