One High, One Low: Jorginho’s 2018/19

Chelsea’s somewhat turbulent season has come to close and, as you’ll know, the future of Maurizio Sarri remains uncertain with a move to Juventus reportedly drawing closer, according to the Independent earlier this week.

Despite winning the Europa League, the so-called ‘Sarri-ball’ did become a focal point for targeted rage at points of the season by way of fan chants, but rather than look at the Italian coach, we believe it prudent to take a closer look at the man who fans might consider to be the main purveyor of the style, Jorginho, in one of the Transfer Tavern’s One High, One Low pieces.

One High

A difficult season for the Brazilian-born Italian international during which he was booed by sections of support at times did see a promising performance in the Premier League against Brighton and Hove Albion towards the closing stages of the campaign. Indeed, 152 out of 161 passes really is some good going, as well as demonstrating an ability to win the ball back. Everything you’d want from a defensive midfielder, right?

Jorginho’s game by numbers vs. Brighton:

152 passes completed
85 successful forward passes
62 successful final third passes
28 passes to Eden Hazard
10 ball recoveries
6 accurate long balls
2 tackles won
2 interceptions

Exactly what he was bought to do. pic.twitter.com/DWoh5ZhyBZ

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 3, 2019

The proof is in the pudding, as provided by everyone’s favourite analyst Statman Dave.

Needless to say, the responses to this particular nugget of quantifiable knowledge inspired a far different response from Chelsea’s loyal Twitter users, some of whom were evidently excited over the fact they were finally witnessing the player they had been expecting at the beginning of the campaign, the one Pep Guardiola was apparently keen on signing.

People even came to his defence, which is perhaps most shocking.

Amazing what a player can do when he has the players in front of him making the moves and not playing too narrow.

— NLTM31 (@Nolessthanmatt) April 3, 2019

One Low

As far as performances go, Chelsea’s against Premier League mid-table Bournemouth was likely one of the worst supporters have had the misfortune of laying their eyes upon this season.

Also, as if the 4-0 pounding wasn’t sufficient punishment for those involved, they had to endure the crippling misery of watching their £50million summer signing Jorginho meander around the pitch with little to no effect (a performance which earned him a solid rating of four from Sky Sports).

It was an all too familiar performance; plenty of the ball (73 touches in total), a few nice passes, but painfully little penetration (he had zero assists to his name at this point, and still does, for that matter).

Jorginho was a huge waste of money, guy does not bring anything to the team, Cant defend, cant run, and is meant to be this great passer of the ball yet doesn't have a single assist this season.

— . (@DanSalmons97) January 30, 2019