Chelsea under Frank Lampard were a shadow of themselves despite the outlay on the team. Russian owner Roman Abramovich must have looked at the team and wondered what he had to do to help Lampard fire the team to perform.
It is usually not easy to fire a club legend, but the onus to win becomes higher when given a long rope. Frank Lampard lasted till the winter of last season before Abramovich felt he had seen enough.
The Russian owner then brought in Thomas Tuchel, who has masterminded a master class to win Chelsea their second UEFA Champions League trophy and the UEFA Super Cup. One player was integral to the team's success and has been performing as Chelsea now make a beeline for the Premiership this season.
Jorginho for the Ballon d'Or
Jorginho was integral to the way Chelsea performed in the Champions League last season. After coming under heavy criticism while Lampard held sway at Stamford Bridge, the Italian has come into his own, posting five-star performances every week. The player's display earned him the UEFA Men's Player of the Year - 2020–21.
With that honour in the bag, Jorginho has received support to win the Ballon d'Or. That support has come from an international teammate and Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini. According to the defender, as quoted by Sky Sports, Jorginho deserves to win the award.
The midfielder who also helped Italy win EURO 2020 has received praise from Chiellini, who insists it will be a travesty if the award was to go to someone else. He lauded the midfielder's performance for Chelsea and Italy, which he has described as enough to earn him the most prestigious individual award in men's football.
Jorginho criticism
Chelsea takes on Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday. Chiellini will come up against his international teammate. The Italian, who knows Jorginho's abilities, was disappointed at the criticism he received.
Jorginho joined Chelsea in the summer of 2018. He joined from Napoli for £50 million following his former coach's arrival at Chelsea.
English football is physical, and the arrival of a defensive midfielder without the physical attributes to compete in the league was met with scepticism.
The critics were out in their numbers, quick to criticize his every move. His detractors had a field day and felt he could only survive under the mentorship and style of the ex-Napoli boss Sarri. According to naysayers, Jorginho is limited to what they derisively refer to as 'Sarriball' and that his days at Chelsea won't be long.
Chiellini was full of delight at Jorginho's success and said he deserved the Ballon d'Or. He confessed that he has been able to silence his critics.
At the moment, Jorginho continues to impress for Chelsea, and it is no surprise he is among the players the Blues want to tie to a new contract.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
