Transfer Talk: Where next for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho?

It promises to be a summer of change at Chelsea — and Italian midfielder Jorginho is the latest name linked with the exit door.

With Antonio Rudiger joining Real Madrid as a free agent and fellow centre-back Andreas Christensen expected to follow him to LaLiga, the club's new owners will need to get busy in the transfer market. 

Considering Jorginho made 47 appearances for Thomas Tuchel's side last term, a departure would seem unlikely.  

But with talk of a move intensifying, we take a closer look at the Italian star’s situation.

Staying put?

With a year remaining on his contract, addressing Jorginho's future is unlikely to be high on Chelsea's list of priorities in the coming months.

But the Blues have been bitten by off-field issues allowing contracts to run to down, so it would not be a surprise to see a number of Tuchel's regulars offered new deals. 

And it appears Jorginho, 30, would be receptive to extending his stay at Stamford Bridge. 

Speaking earlier this year, his agent Joao Santos said: "Obviously, a profile like Jorge’s would serve many teams, even in Italy. 

"But I repeat, we will see the Chelsea situation first, because his priority is the renewal with the Londoners.

"In any case, I repeat, to date no one has come from Italy to ask me."

When skipper Cesar Azpilicueta does not make the starting XI, Tuchel often hands the armband to Jorginho — suggesting the German tactician would be happy to see his holding midfielder stay put.

Interest from Juve

If recent reports are to be believed, Serie A giants Juventus would love to tempt Jorginho back to Italy. 

Max Allegri’s men finished a disappointing fourth last term — 16 points behind champions AC Milan — which has prompted talk of a summer overhaul in Turin.

Paul Pogba, who confirmed his Manchester United departure yesterday, has been strongly linked with a return to his former club, suggesting a midfield revamp is top priority.

Deploying someone like Jorginho in his famed metronomic role would allow Pogba to play with more freedom further forward, so it is easy to see the logic behind such a move. 

What is more, the Chelsea ace is unlikely to command a huge fee with only 12 months left to run on his current agreement.

Your move

On the face of it, the Blues remain very much in command of the situation when it comes to keeping a player they signed from Napoli four years ago. 

The Todd Boehly-led consortium finally completed their takeover of the club earlier this week and a summer of squad strengthening is now widely expected. 

Central defence is likely to be the first area Tuchel and Co look to address, while question marks still remain over Chelsea's misfiring forward line.

Whether the club view midfield as a priority is questionable — but the club's fans are used to seeing a regular influx of talent more often than not.

Speaking last month, Tuchel said: "I cannot go on holiday yet, it’s impossible. There are too many things to clarify and have an opinion on."

With that in mind, it seems likely some kind of conversation is due to take place with Jorginho — if it has not already. 

Vital experience

While what happens next with Jorginho and midfield partner N’Golo Kante remains uncertain, Chelsea are highly unlikely to let them both leave in the same window.

Racking up 89 appearances between them last season, the duo add crucial experience and security to an engine room that could soon lack a little depth.

Danny Drinkwater's torrid spell with the Blues is finally over, while Saul Niguez will return to Atletico Madrid after an underwhelming loan stint.

Doubts also remain over whether the likes of Billy Gilmour and Ross Barkley are in a position to contribute regularly in West London next term.

Conor Gallagher will hope to make an impact after an impressive loan spell at Crystal Palace, though he operates significantly further forward than the likes of Jorginho, Kante and the ever-reliable Mateo Kovacic.

Tough to replace

All things considered, Chelsea will need to ensure they have new blood lined up if Jorginho is Juventus-bound.

His role, sitting at the base of a midfield and dictating play from deep, is one of the game’s most under-appreciated jobs and there are few who can carry it out with his poise and precision.

While the 44-cap international still has his fair share of critics, the pivotal roles he played as the Blues won the Champions League in 2020-21 and during Italy's Euro 2020 success speak for themselves.

Only last August, Italy boss Roberto Mancini said: "I would give Jorginho the Ballon d’Or. He deserves it because he won everything this season."

Though burnout may have seen his performance levels suffer towards the end of last season, a proper summer break should see a rejuvenated Jorginho back at his best.

Letting him line up elsewhere would appear a big risk on Chelsea’s part.