04-17-2021, 11:01 AM
In Focus: Pass master Jorginho in control of own destiny at Chelsea
Jorginho's Chelsea future is unclear after a mixed bag of performances under Thomas Tuchel
Jorginho’s recent performances for Chelsea have been like a lucky dip — you never know if you are in for a sublime showing or a dismal display.Â
The Italy international, 29, twice gifted the ball to West Brom in the Blues’ shock 5-2 defeat earlier this month, forcing Thiago Silva into the rash challenges that resulted in his eventual red card.Â
But he has quickly made amends in the weeks that have followed, providing Thomas Tuchel with a conundrum ahead of tonight's FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City.
Should the German persevere with Chelsea’s inconsistent midfield maestro?
Easy mistakes
Tuchel’s comments after the West Brom game were clearly in reference to Jorginho’s lethargy in possession.Â
He said: "We made easy mistakes and were punished. It was totally our fault.Â
"We did big mistakes before the two yellow cards. There were too many easy ball losses."
Following that match, plenty of Chelsea supporters might have felt confident in the club’s ability to cope without Jorginho.Â
After all, he had hardly been a regular under Frank Lampard earlier in the season.
Return to form
But Jorginho’s performances since that West Brom debacle have changed the outlook once again.Â
He was impressive in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, before producing a commanding display in last weekend’s 4-1 victory against Crystal Palace.Â
Tuchel (right) was left to rue Jorginho's mistakes in the defeat to West Brom
In between those wins, Jorginho publicly flirted with former club Napoli — suggesting a Stamford Bridge departure is not out of the question this summer.
Napoli speculation
Discussing a potential move to Naples, he said: "I had a wonderful experience [with Napoli] and I’m very fond of the city and the fans.
"Now, honestly, I’m not thinking about it because my concentration is all on Chelsea.Â
"But if there’s the possibility, one day, you don’t know when, to return, of course I would like to."
The question that must be asked is whether or not Chelsea might fare better without the Brazil-born man in their ranks.
Midfield balance
At his best, Jorginho is capable of controlling games, dictating the tempo and creating chances with his incisive passing.Â
The former Verona playmaker is in the Premier League’s top 10 players for possession won in the middle third (4.69 per 90 minutes) and also sits among the division’s most adept passers, with an average of 71.22 completed each game.Â
With time to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are under no pressure to make a decision on Jorginho
His partnership with Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic has also blossomed over the last couple of seasons.
With Mason Mount and Kai Havertz more advanced at Selhurst Park, there was a nice balance to Chelsea — that was evident in the performance and result.
Future decision
It could be that Tuchel has a different vision for his midfield. After all, Jorginho is hardly a youngster.Â
N’Golo Kante and Kovacic complement each other well, even if neither possess Jorginho’s ability to truly dominate the midfield.Â
A decision on his future is not urgent, given his current deal at Stamford Bridge runs for another two years.Â
But there has been talk of a potential contract extension and Chelsea will want to be sure that keeping Jorginho for the long-term is beneficial should they opt to commit.
If he can find some consistency — which has been lacking this season — there will be far fewer doubters.Â
The final stages of the campaign and games such as the semi-final at Wembley will therefore be key for Jorginho.
FA
17/04/2021
Jorginho's Chelsea future is unclear after a mixed bag of performances under Thomas Tuchel
Jorginho’s recent performances for Chelsea have been like a lucky dip — you never know if you are in for a sublime showing or a dismal display.Â
The Italy international, 29, twice gifted the ball to West Brom in the Blues’ shock 5-2 defeat earlier this month, forcing Thiago Silva into the rash challenges that resulted in his eventual red card.Â
But he has quickly made amends in the weeks that have followed, providing Thomas Tuchel with a conundrum ahead of tonight's FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City.
Should the German persevere with Chelsea’s inconsistent midfield maestro?
Easy mistakes
Tuchel’s comments after the West Brom game were clearly in reference to Jorginho’s lethargy in possession.Â
He said: "We made easy mistakes and were punished. It was totally our fault.Â
"We did big mistakes before the two yellow cards. There were too many easy ball losses."
Following that match, plenty of Chelsea supporters might have felt confident in the club’s ability to cope without Jorginho.Â
After all, he had hardly been a regular under Frank Lampard earlier in the season.
Return to form
But Jorginho’s performances since that West Brom debacle have changed the outlook once again.Â
He was impressive in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, before producing a commanding display in last weekend’s 4-1 victory against Crystal Palace.Â
Tuchel (right) was left to rue Jorginho's mistakes in the defeat to West Brom
In between those wins, Jorginho publicly flirted with former club Napoli — suggesting a Stamford Bridge departure is not out of the question this summer.
Napoli speculation
Discussing a potential move to Naples, he said: "I had a wonderful experience [with Napoli] and I’m very fond of the city and the fans.
"Now, honestly, I’m not thinking about it because my concentration is all on Chelsea.Â
"But if there’s the possibility, one day, you don’t know when, to return, of course I would like to."
The question that must be asked is whether or not Chelsea might fare better without the Brazil-born man in their ranks.
Midfield balance
At his best, Jorginho is capable of controlling games, dictating the tempo and creating chances with his incisive passing.Â
The former Verona playmaker is in the Premier League’s top 10 players for possession won in the middle third (4.69 per 90 minutes) and also sits among the division’s most adept passers, with an average of 71.22 completed each game.Â
With time to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are under no pressure to make a decision on Jorginho
His partnership with Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic has also blossomed over the last couple of seasons.
With Mason Mount and Kai Havertz more advanced at Selhurst Park, there was a nice balance to Chelsea — that was evident in the performance and result.
Future decision
It could be that Tuchel has a different vision for his midfield. After all, Jorginho is hardly a youngster.Â
N’Golo Kante and Kovacic complement each other well, even if neither possess Jorginho’s ability to truly dominate the midfield.Â
A decision on his future is not urgent, given his current deal at Stamford Bridge runs for another two years.Â
But there has been talk of a potential contract extension and Chelsea will want to be sure that keeping Jorginho for the long-term is beneficial should they opt to commit.
If he can find some consistency — which has been lacking this season — there will be far fewer doubters.Â
The final stages of the campaign and games such as the semi-final at Wembley will therefore be key for Jorginho.
FA