Football

Jorginho delighted as Chelsea boo-boys chant his name… for the right reasons


MAURIZIO SARRI was the least popular man down the King’s Road last season — and Jorginho was not exactly a local hero, either.

The Italian international copped some flak because of his strong links with Sarri after following him from Napoli to Chelsea in a £57.4million deal.

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Chelsea fans used to jeer Jorginho — but these punters with remarkably short memories are now chanting his name for the right reasons.

And this clearly means the world to the 27-year-old, who deserves huge credit for sticking with the club rather than looking for a return to Serie A once his mate moved on.

Jorginho scored the penalty which put Blues on the road to their first home Premier League win — and first clean sheet — under Frank Lampard.

Asked how it felt being cheered at Stamford Bridge, midfielder Jorginho said: “It’s amazing because last season it was impossible.

“I’m very happy how they have changed their mind about me. I have worked a lot.

“I never said anything, I just work and work and work and I think the results are coming — and I am very happy with that.

“It is an opportunity for me to show I’m here not just for the coach.

“I’m thankful of what we did together because it was amazing.

“We worked four years together and I’m very thankful for what I learned from him. But I’m here also for my quality — but the people could not see that last season.”



Jorginho admitted the crowd’s negativity towards him back then made him “a little sad”.

But he added: “I just had to work hard and change their minds — and to make them know they had made a mistake about me.”

He netted his first league goal of the season after  Mason Mount was fouled by Adam Webster early in the second half.

That is now 12 successful spot-kicks in his last 13 efforts.

Callum Hudson-Odoi,  on as a sub for his first Prem appearance since an Achilles injury in April, delivered the assist for Willian’s deflected second.

Last season, Blues supporters were furious that Jorginho replaced N’Golo Kante as the deep-lying midfielder.

Kante missed Saturday’s game with a hamstring knock but had he  played, he would have occupied  a more advanced position.

But, hilariously, Chelsea’s fans are not moaning about Lampard using the players in a similar way to Sarri.

Nevertheless, Lampard has tweaked his tactics and the team is more direct.

 Jorginho scored from the penalty spot in the 50th minute of the win over Brighton

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Jorginho scored from the penalty spot in the 50th minute of the win over BrightonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Jorginho said: “This season, we are playing with more long balls, so less short passing.

“It has changed a little bit but the mentality is the same, to press the other team and try to have control of the match.

“I have to be there to control all the team. If I leave my position it is a big problem for everybody because there will be too much space in the midfield.

“I try to do what the coach wants so I can adapt myself.

“He wants the ball forward quicker and not  have too much short passing, so I am trying to do that. Yes, it is simple.”

Lampard stressed that this season  is not all about the kids.

He pinpointed the importance of the experience of Jorginho and Willian, who both caused Brighton problems throughout.

Asked about being a leader in the team, Jorginho said: “That is not new for me because I always tried to play like this — but nobody was talking about it. I was trying to help my mates.

“It is a thing not everybody sees but when someone like Frank Lampard talks about it, then maybe people look for it.”

Next up is Wednesday’s crunch Euro trip to Lille.

Jorginho added: “The Champions League is very, very difficult but I think we are ready to go everywhere to try to win.

“It’ll be a new experience for some young players but  they are showing how good they are. They just have to believe in themselves and keep going.”

Frank Lampard’s brilliant reaction finding out Chelsea had drawn Manchester United in the Carabao Cup fourth round





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