We already went through a list of big names which could become part of Conte’s departures but now it is time to try and figure out who will be the core members for Chelsea’s 2016-2017 season. With less than 2 weeks left until the Blues face West Ham, Conte needs to figure out what will the team look like for the next couple of months. While the defense is pretty much settled, the rest of the team is quite hard to figure out. The Italian boss recently stated that he is pushing a 4-2-4 formation which allows a lot of versatility but at the same time prevents a set of players from performing at the same time. The biggest issue is with Hazard, Oscar, Pedro, Willian and Fabregas especially now that the Belgium international is expected to be featured as a No.10 rather than a winger. While all the above mentioned have the option of playing on the flanks or in Fabregas’ case, a bit closer to the defense, Oscar was the most likely to be left behind. His performance against Milan changed Conte’s perception as the Brazilian scored twice and showed excellent form.

While after Chelsea’s loss with Real Madrid came with few comments regarding Oscar’s game here is what the manager had to say after the club’s 3-1 win over AC Milan.

“Oscar is an important player, and I think the season when Chelsea won the title, [he] played a fantastic season.

“I think that Oscar is a good player with great talent and he can improve. He can improve a lot, I think, but I am seeing in him a good attitude, a good will.”

I said before to wait to judge the player, to see the player in [the preseason], and then to try the right solution for this team,”

“I think this match told me a lot about this, also about the players who we keep and who can go on loan and who we can sell. For me, today it was important because I had the idea more clear than before.”

“Now we go back to London and it’s important for me, for the club, to talk and to take the decision about the players.”

“Now I think to have the ideas very clear compared to two weeks ago, it’s normal. It’s normal to take a decision about these players.”

Looking at the quotes provided by ESPN, it is very unlikely that Oscar will be on the bench against West Ham. The Brazilian is likely to be featured behind a single striker – Batshuayi, with Hazard on the left and Willian on the right. Cuadrado and Pedro are the most likely to be sacrificed. Matic, who is still linked to a move to Manchester United could also miss the first game of the season as Fabregas is expected to play next to newcomer N’Golo Kante.