It’s evident that Maurizio Sarri is loyal to his players. This season, the manager has opted to pick the same players for most of the season. Indeed, players like Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Kepa Arrizabalaga have featured in every league game, and many others have featured in the vast majority.
Jorginho, for example, has played 23 times in the league so far for Chelsea – and it’s hard to see why the Italian has been such a regular.
Indeed, his role in the team is, at present, painfully unclear. Sure, he’s able to pass the ball around well and he keeps play ticking on – but what does he actually do that someone like N’Golo Kante can’t? He’s yet to bag a single league assist so far this season, after all, and his only goal came from the penalty spot.
Defensively, too, he’s failed to live up to expectations. Players have been able to move past him with ease, with his inability to stand strong and get his foot in causing Chelsea more than a few problems at the back.
What is particularly shocking about his role is that he’s forced N’Golo Kante out of position. Kante has consistently been the best defensive midfielder in England over the last few years, yet he’s no longer playing that position. He’s been shifted into more of a box-to-box role – and that seems like such a foolish decision. When a team that should be challenging for the title is losing 4-0 to Bournemouth, you know you’ve got a defensive problem, and Kante could do very little to impact the result.
So, not only is Jorginho struggling, but Sarri is also failing to make the most of an obvious replacement. That’s unforgivable, and though the manager is clearly loyal to Jorginho – who is evidently a great player – there comes a point in which he needs to realise his mistakes.
Both the manager and the player have a role to play at Chelsea, but right now it’s just not working. It’s time for Sarri to drop Jorginho, and rely on someone that he knows can do the business.
Thoughts?
