In the latter days of the summer transfer window just past, Chelsea Vice-captain Jorginho was linked with a surprise move to Arsenal, which would’ve had him following in the footsteps of countrymen David Luiz and Willian. But just like the rumors earlier in the year linking him repeatedly with Juventus, nothing concrete materialized.
Unlike with those Sarri-reunion rumors however, Jorginho has confirmed that there was indeed something real behind the Gunners’ reported overtures. And though nothing actually came to fruition in this regard — Arsenal ended up signing Thomas Partey instead — he also admits that he would’ve been open to negotiations.
“I believe that every player is open to negotiations. So I believe there was something they talked about. And in the end it was decided that I remain here.
“Now my head is here and we’re going to do a great job with Chelsea, which I always wanted to do.”
Obviously, Jorginho’s head is with Chelsea now, but as he enters the second half of the five-year contract he signed in 2018, the same or similar rumors will surely return towards the end of the season once again, by which time he will be 29.
Hopefully before then we can return to some semblance of consistent form and results on the pitch as well.
“The players who arrived have great potential and can certainly help this club a lot [...] When there’s this high competition among the players, it turns out that the level of the team goes up, and when the level of the team goes up, the team ends up becoming better and even more competitive to reach the top. So I believe that the arrival of these great players only brings good things and will certainly help the group and the club.
“It’s normal that you need time. How long did Liverpool work to win something? So I believe that every change, every beginning of a project, we need to believe in the project for it to bear fruit and bring results. So it’s normal that you need this working time.”
-Jorginho; source: ESPN Brasil via Goal
Jorginho has been ever-present since arriving from Napoli, first as the obvious lynchpin of Sarri-ball, but also last year under Frank Lampard’s more dynamic system, recently passing 100 appearance for the club in just a little over two seasons. With just three central midfielders fit at the moment, that level of involvement will surely continue for a while, even if he himself will continue dividing opinion just the same.
And then maybe Arsenal will beckon once again?