A
third-place finish in the Premier League. Victory in the Europa League.
Runners-up in the Carabao Cup. It's hard to argue the 2018/19 season was
anything but a success for Chelsea. Yet it wasn't without its difficulties.
Chelsea were, at times, branded boring and ineffective. Lots of possession,
but a lack of cutting edge.
Head coach Maurizio Sarri bore most of the brunt of the criticism from
supporters, but not far behind was Jorginho. The midfielder, who arrived
from Napoli in the summer of 2018 with Sarri, was seen as the
chief-architect of "Sarri-ball" and was even booed when he came on for a
Europa League game in February.
So tied has Jorginho been to Sarri and his methods over the last few years
that, when Sarri left Stamford Bridge this summer, it was asked 'what now
for Jorginho?'. Would he follow Sarri out of the exit door after just one
season? Or would he stay for a fresh challenge under Frank Lampard?
The answer is the latter, and the 27-year-old is relishing it.
"It has been a new experience for me. I am liking it as I am learning, which
I like to do," he tells Sky Sports ahead of Chelsea's Premier League opener
against Manchester United on August 11.
"I am happy I got this opportunity; I like to learn and find out more. It's
going to be beneficial to my career and the club and the team. I have an
open mind to learning new experiences."
But was he sad to see Sarri, who he has worked with since 2015, leave this
summer?
"No, I wouldn't say I was sad. He was my coach and we had worked together
for four years but the time had come to go separate ways and I am very
thankful to him for giving me the opportunity and everything I learnt from
him, but now it is a new page and I have a new coach and I have to work hard
and learn a lot. We have to look ahead."
Compare their CV's and Sarri and Lampard could hardly be more different.
Sarri never played professionally (he used to be a banker - you might have
heard), but has managed a host of clubs since 1990. Lampard had a glittering
playing career with Chelsea, but is only in his second year of management.
Asked what he sees as the main differences between them, Jorginho first
jokes "their age" (Sarri is 60, Lampard is 41), before saying it is also
"their tactics".
Chelsea's first six fixtures
Aug 11 - Man Utd (a) - SSPL
Aug 14 - Liverpool - UEFA Super Cup
Aug 18 - Leicester (h) - SSPL
Aug 24 -Norwich (a)
Aug 31 - Sheffield Utd (h)
Sep 14 - Wolves (a)
While Sarri stuck with his tried and tested 4-3-3 formation during his
single season at Chelsea, Lampard has gone with a 4-2-3-1 in pre-season that
has seen Jorginho playing slightly further forward. It's a new experience
for Jorginho, but one he seems to be settling in to quickly. He is also
enjoying the opportunity to play under Lampard, who he watched as a
youngster.
"His career speaks for itself. Everyone can see what Lampard did as a
player, not just for this club but for football in general. I watched him
when I was growing up and it's great to have him here now as a coach. I
believe he still has a lot to give to this club as a coach, as he did as a
player.
"Of course, we talk about positions and ask questions like all other
players, if they have any doubts they ask the coach and I ask about
positions and various other aspects of the game which are important to know.
"I need to understand what he wants from me. So, I also ask to develop my
game. The more questions I ask takes any doubt away and we can play the way
he wants to play. Then we can give to the team just how he wants us to
deliver."
The early signs suggest Jorginho is going to be just as integral to
Lampard's Chelsea team as he was to Sarri's side. The new head coach has
praised Jorginho's "attitude" and "bravery" in pre-season and says he is a
"driver of a session".
Jorginho says he does not see himself as "the leader" of the team, but is
trying to make the most of the view of the game that his role affords.
"Everyone in the team has to help each other. I think everyone in the team
has leadership skills and can be leaders and we need to help each other.
"I have my way of doing things, because I am that way, I try to raise my
voice to motivate team-mates and make them aware that if they lose a ball it
is not a problem, so I try to motivate my team-mates and to speak to them
and, because I see the game from the back I see everything in front of me;
communication on the field can help a lot.
"That split second when you give a shout you know it will be beneficial for
the team and this helps to motivate the team."
Whether you view last season as a success or not - Jorginho says it would be
"crazy" not to - there are doubts Chelsea can improve on it in 2019/20. Not
only have they lost Eden Hazard, but they have been unable to make any
signings due to a transfer ban while their rivals look to have improved.
Jorginho, though, still thinks it can be a successful campaign.
"Of course we believe we can always improve because the moment that you
think you cannot improve anymore you go backwards. We have to open our minds
and believe we can be better and be on the rise.
"Certainly, I will do what I have always done and give my maximum
performance. Fans can expect the same from me - hard work and a lot of work
on the pitch to try to bring trophies and silverware that this club
deserves."
And what about his new "advanced" role? Is it going to mean more goals and
potentially more assists?
"I believe so, I haven't got many goals and assists. Some people have said I
haven't got any assists - maybe they haven't watched the games properly
because I could find passes there. Hopefully I will have more luck this
season and I can add a few more assists and goals too, but the most
important thing is the team wins. It is more important for the team to win
than the number of my assists."
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