Jorginho was the talisman for Chelsea back in the 2018/19 season when Maurizio Sarri was still the manager.
That is according to Blues legend Gianfranco Zola, who worked as an assistant coach during that time period.
We have some fond memories of the chaotic one-year period with Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea manager, which culminated in thrashing Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final.
Our memory is Eden Hazard was so often the match-winner and go-to individual during Sarri’s tenure, but a lot of the patterns of play were knitted together by Jorginho in the midfield.
Sold by Chelsea to London rivals Arsenal in a £12 million deal (Sky Sports) in the January window of 2023, Jorginho is now thriving in the Gunners XI.
Zola has been discussing Jorginho’s qualities and just how good he was for Sarri’s Chelsea.
“(Signing) Jorginho was one of his conditions when he (Sarri) first got the job,” Zola told The Athletic.
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“He was the first player he asked for, as he knew that if he wanted to put in place his own structure of football, Jorginho was a key element.
“The criticism was the same thing they said to me when I first came — the game was too physical, I wasn’t going to cope with the situation, this and that. But when you’re a smart player, you can find a way to be successful.”
Jorginho did play some great football during 213 Chelsea appearances, especially when he acted as Sarri’s general on the pitch.
We’re not surprised to see him excelling for Mikel Arteta’s side right now during their title bid.
As for Chelsea’s current midfield, it’s been taking shape this season with a new-look trio of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher. The Blues are crying out for a bit of extra experience in the centre of the park in certain games, though.
