As is so often the case, this summer is one of renewal at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte, the Italian manager who led Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2017 and FA Cup in 2018, has gone. In his place, enter Conte’s compatriot Maurizio Sarri.
The new head coach, who was presented last Saturday, carries with him a reputation for teams that play slick, attractive, attacking football and alongside him at his unveiling was another man who will be central to making that happen at Stamford Bridge next season.
Jorginho, the Brazilian-born Italy international midfielder, is Sarri’s first signing as Chelsea manager and, after the pair spent three successful seasons together at Napoli, he will be the perfect player to translate Sarri’s plans into action on the pitch.
Indeed, the fact that Sarri moved to west London was a deciding factor in Jorginho heading in the same direction.
The 26-year-old had been the subject of long-standing interest from Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, but the chance to work with his old boss in a new location was too good for the new Chelsea number 5 to pass up.
Jorginho has spent the last decade in Italy, playing first for Hellas Verona before making the move to Naples, but was born thousands of kilometers away in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. From there, it was a long and arduous journey to the top of world football.
Brought up in a tiny coastal town, he was first taught the game by his mother, an avid player and fan, on the beaches near their house. Together, they would spend hours perfecting his touch and passing.
Jorginho: The perfect signing for Maurizio Sarri's new-look Chelsea team
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