Jorginho, Chelsea set for showdown talks to ‘assess the situation’ — report

Frank Lampard has been trying his best to douse the speculation about Jorginho’s future, but no amount of words will be able to overcome his own actions of constantly leaving the previously ever-present midfielder out of the Chelsea starting lineups. Whether it’s personal or tactical, as Jorginho’s words also seem to insinuate, neither posits a bright future for the 28-year-old at Stamford Bridge.

Accordingly, as reported by the Athletic, the Vice-captain is set for talks with the club to understand his place in the grand scheme of things, and to discuss his future. Jorginho, whose contract expires in 2023, is seemingly content with staying in London, but “personal happiness and professional fulfilment are linked”, as the report puts it. If he’s not playing, he’s not staying.

Perennially-linked Juventus would be the midfielder’s most likely destination should he choose to depart, but the Bianconeri don’t have the finances to pay anything close to the €57m that Chelsea gave Napoli back in 2018. Juve swapping Miralem Pjanić for Barcelona’s Arthur Melo, who plays a similar role, and the presence of Rodrigo Betancur and Adrian Rabiot don’t help Jorginho’s case either.

Juventus might entice Chelsea to accept a “Cuadrado-style” loan-to-buy arrangement, but how close to reality that option may be remains to be seen. Chelsea’s rumored move for Kai Havertz hints at the Blues looking for a more fluid midfield, and Jorginho leaving would help those intentions.

“I just have to stay focused on when the teams need me. There have been rumours but I haven’t heard anything, I am just focusing on finishing the season well with Chelsea and qualifying for the Champions League.”

-Jorginho; source: Chelsea FC

For now, Jorginho still has a role to play, especially with N’Golo Kanté and Mateo Kovačić injured, but his future beyond that will need plenty of clarification indeed.