Cesc Fabregas has revealed that Jorginho’s Chelsea arrival was a big reason for his departure in 2019.
The Italian midfielder joined from Napoli on a £57million deal in 2018, before Fabregas ended a five-year stint at Stamford Bridge 12 months later by leaving for AS Monaco.
Jorginho shone for Italy on the opening night of Euro 2020 on Friday, with Roberto Mancini’s side registering a dominant 3-0 win over Turkey in Rome.
The 29-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the heart of Italy’s midfield, as the host nation made a strong statement of intent to their tournament rivals.
He created three chances, completed both of his dribble attempts, won five out of six ground duels, made four interceptions, and won three tackles.
Jorginho’s involvement this summer comes after helping Chelsea lift the Champions League last month.
Fabregas was on BBC One’s pundit panel for Friday’s Euro 2020 opener and claimed that Jorginho’s quality was what forced him out of Chelsea two years ago.
“One of the biggest reasons I left Chelsea is because of [Jorginho],” Fabregas explained.
Fabregas was on BBC One’s pundit panel for Friday’s Euro 2020 opener and claimed that Jorginho’s quality was what forced him out of Chelsea two years ago.
“One of the biggest reasons I left Chelsea is because of [Jorginho],” Fabregas explained.
“He’s a very smart player, intelligent, a very good passer of the ball. The only thing I can say about him sometimes is he releases the ball too quickly when he can play forward.
“He makes the team tick. At Chelsea, he has N’Golo Kante protecting him all the time, and I know that’s a big thing; I don’t know here how he will cope at a big, big game at the Euros.
“He’s a really good player and tactically, he knows what to do because of the coach’s methodology, it helps him a lot.”
Rio Ferdinand chimed in on the conversation, suggesting how Italy’s tactical setup helps Jorignho thrive more on international duty than at club level.
He said: “That’s where he’s helped in this team.”
“Kante helps him at Chelsea, but he’s helped more tactically here in terms of the shape, in terms of big spaces protecting the centre-backs.
“I think he needs that as well in a team like this with slow centre-backs.”
Italy will be strongly favoured to top Group A after their showing at the Stadio Olimpico.
Gli Azzurri will face Switzerland and Wales in their remaining group stage fixtures as they seek the top spot.
If first is secured, they then face the prospect of battling either the Netherlands, Austria, Ukraine or North Macedonia in the round of 16.
Mancini’s men are well set up to enjoy a successful campaign, and it couldn’t have got off to a better start.