‘Boring’ Jorginho is a DREAM transfer for Mikel Arteta…he’s exactly what Arsenal need, says Chelsea legend Zola

JORGINHO joins Arsenal in search of a Premier League title… and love.

It’s fair to say that the graceful Italian midfielder had to work hard to earn the praise of Chelsea fans, who booed their own player on a number of occasions during his four and a half years there.

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During that time, the Brazilian-born playmaker helped the Blues win the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup and European Super Cup. But few Stamford Bridge fans will thank him for that.

He signed an initial deal of £50million on the day former manager Maurizio Sarri arrived as boss in July 2018 and Jorginho remained a symbol of the sideways game’s despised ‘Sarri-ball’ system, which led to cutlery, but caused unrest in the stands.

Jorginho’s smooth and often clean approach to the game was found boring by many, despite being a manager’s dream due to his coolness under pressure.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta recognized that.

The Spaniard’s first home game as Gunners boss in December 2019 was a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea as Jorginho equalized and was lucky not to be sent off.

Arteta saw a player with the composure to score late goals in big games and keep his cool, and the Premier League leaders now have a hugely experienced and highly decorated central midfielder whose heart rate never changes regardless of time or place in a big one Game.

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola coached Jorginho under Sarri and got fans right ahead of the club’s second Champions League triumph when they beat Manchester City under Thomas Tuchel in 2021.

Italy’s Zola told SunSport: “If you’re a team that wants to be organised, a passing team, then Jorgo is the man.

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“He’s always in the right place to support the defenders and the other midfielders when they have the ball.

“He’s always available when things get hot. This is a player who never hides and who can always be counted on.

“A lot of players who are under pressure don’t want the ball, but Jorgo isn’t one of them.

“When you have a player who doesn’t hide when you have to control a game under pressure, you appreciate him a lot. Maybe sometimes people don’t see that.”

Jorginho was voted UEFA’s Player of the Year in 2021 after winning the Champions League with Chelsea and the Euros with Italy.

He was also in contention for the top individual honor, the Ballon d’Or, finishing third behind Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi and Polish shooter Robert Lewandowski.

At the time, Zola said: “Should they give it to Jorginho? It would be deserved.

“He gives concrete balance and pace to his teams. I’ve been lucky to have him at Chelsea and I know what he’s doing on the pitch.”

“Maybe the fans just like to see someone who’s always flying into tackles, winning the ball back or knocking players over all the time. He is always questioned. If Jorgo makes a mistake, he will be caught immediately.”

Jorginho leaves Chelsea after playing 213 games and scoring 29 goals.

He was promoted to vice-captain for his lead on the field and while his penalty shootout could be erratic, he missed just four out of 31.

Boss Graham Potter gave his players a day off on Tuesday, meaning Jorginho wasn’t able to say a proper goodbye to his teammates.

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