Maurizio Sarri believes Jorginho is a prime candidate to win the Ballon d’Or and is capable of pipping N’Golo Kante to the coveted prize should he help steer Italy to Euro 2020 glory.
The Brazilian-born midfielder proved to be a devisive figure among Chelsea supporters when Sarri brought him to Stamford Bridge from Napoli in the summer of 2018.
Under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, however, the midfield orchestrator has grown in confidence and stature to the extent where he became one of his side’s most influential players during an unlikely run to Champions League glory last season.
Jorginho has been equally impressive at the heart of Italy’s engine room en route to the final of the European Championships and the 29-year-old showed great composure to score the decisive penalty in Tuesday’s semi-final shootout win over Spain at Wembley.
And while Chelsea colleague Kante represents a major rival to Jorginho’s Ballon d’Or hopes, Sarri insists his former charge would represent a worthy winner.
‘If he wins the European Championship too, he will become one,’ said the former Chelsea manager.
‘He is so good and intelligent that he makes everything seem easy, rarely anything spectacular remains in your eyes. This is its greatness.
‘When I started dealing with Chelsea he was signing with City, we were able to intervene and bring him to Chelsea.
‘Fans and journalists struggled to understand this boy’s game. Then he exploded in popularity in England too, now I have seen that he made the captain. He deserves it.’
MORE : Cesar Azpilicueta highlights the threat of Chelsea star Jorginho ahead of Spain vs Italy showdown
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