I hate international breaks. Especially the September ones. When Chelsea aren't playing and it's not summertime, the world is a barren and scary place, and any blogging momentum (those of you who write regularly will recognise that as the all-powerful force behind their posts) ends up getting bled dry by the time matches resume. So, sorry for there not being as many posts as usual right now.

But there's still some stuff floating around worth talking about, and ace commenter Dave Drabble has dug up a gem:

Oscar can play in number of positions. We are blessed with players who can play in multiple postions. He can play in the number 7 role. Again he is not going to be a old fashion winger. He's not that style of player. He can play in the number 10 role. He can also play in the 6 and 8 role. Where Lampard and Obi play. He isn't ready to play in the number 6 or 8 role yet, but it's something he has. The number 10 and 7 he can play in those positions the most. -Eddie Newton. Source: Premier League TV via Transfer News Central.

This is an interesting development. Chelsea, remember, have rid themselves of two of their backup midfield pivot players in Michael Essien and Raul Meireles, and the prevailing thought is the club was comfortable ditching them because Oscar and Ramires are both, in theory, capable of spelling Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel in central midfield.

However, it's clear from Newton's comments that Oscar as a deeper-lying player is a long-term project and not a short term fix. I'd suggest that his play against Reading would also indicate that the 20-year-old would have issues if he was simply dropped back there as well. If Oscar's 'not yet ready' for a deep-lying role, as Newton is claiming, Chelsea's issues with central midfield depth are frightening.