Chelsea transfer news: Jose Mourinho drops Oscar exit hint, with Brazilian midfielder linked to Juventus move

Mourinho made cryptic comment after Stoke victory

(Getty Images)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho appeared to drop a hint over the future of Brazilian midfielder Oscar after the Blues beat Stoke 2-1 on Saturday.

Oscar was replaced at half-time by the Portuguese after another disappointing performance in which he failed to make a telling contribution, badly dragging his only chance well wide.

When asked about the performance of the Brazilian, Mourinho answered cryptically.

"I don’t think he had a bad performance, I just think he was not good enough, which is a huge difference," he said; far from a stern defence.

It is a strange statement from the manager - if he truly rated the player would he not have conceded that he just had an off day? The "huge difference" appears to be between a good player having an off day and a player who is not up to the mark.

The 23-year-old has now failed to get on the scoresheet in his last 12 appearances for the club, a drought that stretches back to 17 January, and has only completed 90minutes once in that time (he played 89mins against Manchester City), against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup when Cesc Fabregas was ruled out with injury.

He's not recorded a Premier League assist since 10 January against Newcastle.

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea have won hand on the title (Getty Images)

Last week, Oscar was mentioned as a possible make-weight in a potential Chelsea move for Paul Pogba, while the Blues have linked with moves for other midfielders such as Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson and Koke of Atletico Madrid.

Oscar's days at Stamford Bridge may be looking numbered.