Jorginho feels he’s grown beyond Sarri-ball but would hate to see Sarri leave Chelsea

Over the last four years, Jorginho has formed practically a symbiotic relationship with Maurizio Sarri and Sarri-ball, with plenty of benefits and a few drawbacks. It’s made the 27-year-old midfielder a guaranteed starter for Napoli and Chelsea, earning a big-money move to the latter in the meantime, and it’s gotten him several caps for the Italian national team as well. On the flipside, it’s made him the lightning rod for criticism of Sarri-ball; after all, he’s been the linchpin around which the whole thing was supposed to revolve.

Unsurprisingly, were Sarri to leave Chelsea this summer, Jorginho would not be the happiest camper.

“[Sarri] did a good job for Chelsea. There was some criticism, but ultimately we finished third, won a cup and lost another in a Final. I think it was a great season, and I’d hate to see him go.”

But beyond that, Jorginho seems to be enjoying himself at Stamford Bridge, and other than some vague suggestions from his agent, he looks to be staying regardless of what Sarri might or might not do. In fact he feels that he’s grown and improved a fair bit this season, and has made himself a much more well-rounded midfielder than the strict ‘regista’ he’s been billed as. He’s taken the criticism on board and emerged a better player overall.

“The criticism was probably because of the football culture in England. People weren’t used to seeing a player like me in front of the defence. I read the game more and have less physical presence. For the fans, it was all very different and then they blamed me when the results weren’t coming.

“But ultimately I proved that they were wrong about me. In the Premier League, the intensity is much higher and the teams aren’t afraid to attack. This is why I’ve had to defend much more than I did in Italy. The games are more open. In Serie A this mentality is missing, some of the teams are already beaten and never believe in victory. This is a reason why the big Italian teams find it difficult in the Champions League.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’ve worked with players of a certain level, who have let me grow.”

-Jorginho; Source: Football Italia

One year into a five-year deal, Jorginho has plenty of time to keep improving, keep proving himself, and keep winning titles with Chelsea.