Statistics provided by fantasy football game Oulala highlight just how much Oscar has flourished in his central midfield position for Chelsea this season.

Boss Antonio Conte’s decision to move Oscar into the role has produced outstanding results.

The Blues have opened the new Premier League campaign with three wins and a draw from their opening four games and sit second in the table – and Oscar has been a key figure in their excellent start to the season.

Oulala’s statisticians have looked back at Oscar’s previous four seasons in the Premier League and have compared his per-game figures in seven key areas to his numbers from the opening four games of the current season.

When it comes to passing and creativity, Oscar is averaging more successful passes per game (39) this season than he has in any of his previous campaigns.

He is also averaging more forward passes (28), more key passes (2.3) and is creating more chances (2.5).

The 25-year-old’s work-rate has also improved, as highlighted by his defensive stats.

He is making more successful tackles (2.8) and blocks (0.3) than in any other season and his average of 0.8 interceptions per game was only bettered in 2012/13.