In Focus: Jorginho out to add Tuch of class to Chelsea after exit rumours

Chelsea kicked off their Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 victory at Everton thanks to a Jorginho penalty.

The midfielder’s 20th top-flight goal was another coolly-taken spot-kick as he looks to put talk of a departure to the back of his mind.

Ahead of a huge clash with Tottenham on Sunday, we look at just how important the 30-year-old is to Thomas Tuchel and the Blues.

Everton start

There was little doubt that the Italy international would start for Tuchel on the opening day.

After a difficult summer saw some big-name departures from Stamford Bridge, Jorginho is the sort of calming presence needed on the pitch.

And he showed that as he stepped up to beat Jordan Pickford from the spot — the first time he has had that chance since the England keeper denied him in the Euro 2020 final shootout.

He has now scored 16 penalties in the top flight since he last netted from open play — that is the longest run in 39 years.

Role in the side

Jorginho’s role in the side is two-fold these days. 

He is a leader in the dressing room, captaining Chelsea 12 times in all competitions last term and starting the majority of their biggest games.

Jorginho was in the starting line-up for the FA Cup semi-final and final and 10 of the 12 league games against fellow big six sides.

The Brazil-born midfielder is also the man who keeps it simple in the middle, picking up the ball and passing it to others.

Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Jorginho were the only starters not to attempt a take-on at Goodison Park, while he attempted more passes than everyone bar Silva.

He won the ball back an impressive 11 times, including six in the defensive third of the pitch, but completed just 84% of his passes.

Linked away

That mixed display came on the back of another summer of rumours over his future.

Brought in by Maurizio Sarri, who lasted just one season at Stamford Bridge, Jorginho is constantly tipped to be heading back to Italy.

Juventus were reportedly the main suitors this time around, though that quickly ended when Paul Pogba returned to Turin.

Reports suggest that he was never actually close to leaving, which is not surprising given much of the uncertainty surrounding Chelsea earlier in the summer.

Commitment

Any questions over Jorginho’s continued commitment to Chelsea are harsh given he has now made 189 appearances for them.

And £34million signing Kalidou Koulibaly, who played with him at Napoli, has revealed the midfielder was on his case about moving to West London.

He explained: "Jorgi actually texted me and asked if I wanted to come to Chelsea."

The future

On wanting to tie Jorginho down beyond next summer when his contract is due to expire, Tuchel recently said: "Not all things become reality, but everybody is aware of the situation with not only N’Golo but also Jorginho.

"We knew about the situation with Andreas [Christensen] and Toni [Rudiger], and we don’t want this. So we are on it to solve it in the best interests of the club."

But the 44-cap international may want to see what happens this season before deciding whether to extend his stay in England.

Chelsea are in the market for another central midfielder and have been keeping tabs on Frenkie de Jong's situation, while Conor Gallagher is part of the squad after his impressive loan spell at Crystal Palace.

Turning 31 in December, there is a chance both parties will decide it is time to end their association.

It all depends on whether Jorginho can put in another season of consistent and reliable performances.