Antonio Conte dismisses Oscar link

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted that midfielder Oscar will not leaving the club in the winter transfer window.

The Brazil international has been recently linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge amid interest from several Italian and Chinese clubs

Oscar, 25, has earned just five league starts for the Blues this season, with his last coming in a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at home on September 16.

Recent speculation suggested that the playmaker could pursue a fresh challenge in January having been restricted to first-team football since the 3-4-3 formation change.

However, Conte has rubbished the speculation by iterating that Oscar remains an 'important player' for his side, and is unlikely to be sold in the near future.

Oscar has yet to find the net for Chelsea in nine appearances in all competitions this term.