Oscar prepared to battle it out with Ramires for Selecao selection

Brazil midfielder Oscar has admitted to the Daily Mirror that he faces a battle to stay ahead of his club team-mate Ramires in the Brazil national side. However, despite the level of competition within the Selecao midfield, he insists that the two can play together at international level, just as they do at Chelsea.

Whilst Oscar has almost cemented his place in the national side as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s number ten, Ramires has been in and out of the set-up recently. A mix up between Chelsea and Brazil over an injury to the midfielder saw him left out of last summer’s Confederations Cup campaign, and he was only recalled to the squad in August.

If Ramires is to make the starting eleven of the South American side, then one of the players whose expense it could come at is his Chelsea team-mate. Oscar this week acknowledged the competition between the pair, saying; “There is a competition between Ramires and me but everyone is competing with each other.”

Scolari’s squad possesses a vast array of midfield talent. In order to get play in the deeper role he plays at Chelsea, Ramires will need to dislodge Luiz Gustavo or Paulinho, who recieved plenty of plaudits during Brazil’s triumph in last summer’s Confederations Cup. Whilst the competition further forward is even more intense; Brazil boast such talent as Neymar, Oscar, Bernard, Hulk, Hernanes and Lucas Moura.

However Oscar is still optimistic that both Chelsea players can fit in to the side: ”Ramires and I play together at club level and we are playing well. It will depend on the formation.”

Chelsea’s Brazilian duo have produced 19 chances between them this season, but are both yet to get an assist. Oscar has produced 9 chances for his team-mates, and Ramires 10, but none have been converted.

Four of Ramires’ even came in the same game, against Everton.