Chinese Super League Can Rival Premier League, Says Ex-Chelsea Star

By Teddy Cutler On 1/11/17 at 7:20 AM EST

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar — Former Chelsea star Oscar at Shanghai airport, China, January 2. The Brazilian is one of a number of new high-profile arrivals to the Chinese Super League. STR/AFP/Getty

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Ex-Chelsea star Oscar made a goalscoring start to life as a Chinese Super League player, then claimed football in the country could eventually rival the quality of the Premier League.

Oscar, 25, made the move from Stamford Bridge to Shanghai SIPG earlier this month for a reported fee of £60 million ($72.8 million), kicking off a January transfer window again dominated by high-profile moves to China.

He scored on his debut for Shanghai against Saudi Arabian side Al-Batin in a friendly fixture on Monday, and believes the CSL will continue to improve in quality.

"If they continue in this way, maybe yes, because they have lots of good projects," Oscar said in quotes reported by FourFourTwo magazine when asked if the CSL could one day rival the Premier League.

"Of course the Premier League [has a better] level of players in the world, but the Chinese guys are very good. They help the new players a lot, and I hope they continue this because I come to help."

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