Graham Potter influence paying off as report outlines why Barcelona target’s Chelsea future still up in the air
Midfielder Jorginho has reportedly changed his mind about leaving Stamford Bridge and fancies extending his Chelsea stay to play under Graham Potter.
The 30-year-old is currently in his fifth season with the Blues having moved to west London in the summer of 2018. Chelsea paid Napoli around £50m for his services, with the Italy international inking a five-year deal. The Brazilian-born ace has yet to extend that contract and will be a free agent next summer.
He could open negotiations with foreign clubs next month. But the capital outfit will not want to see that happen and risk losing him for nothing.
Jorginho’s future has been the subject of many column inches during the current campaign.
He has been linked with a number of clubs and Barcelona have repeatedly been mentioned in connection with the star.
It seemed likely that a summer exit was on the cards. However, the relevant parties could soon get round the negotiating table.
And journalist Ben Jacobs believes the former Hellas Verona forward has now altered his thinking about quitting the club.
“With Jorginho, it’s a more formative process. The contract talks haven’t really begun in any significant or formal way,” he said on the ChelseaFC365 podcast.
“I fully expect Chelsea to offer a competitive new deal, it’s just not certain whether he’ll sign one.
“The good news is that Jorginho now, compared to the Jorginho at the beginning of the window, has a different mindset.”
Jorginho loving like under Graham Potter
Chelsea have enjoyed an up-and-down season to date. Thomas Tuchel paid the price for an indifferent start and Graham Potter’s arrival sparked an upturn in results.
However, they took just two points from five top-flight games heading into the World Cup break. And Potter’s charges lost three straight games before attention turned to events in Qatar.
A 4-1 hammering at Brighton was followed by 1-0 losses to Arsenal and Newcastle United. However, Jacobs is adamant that the arrival of Potter has given Jorginho a new lease of life at the Bridge.
“He feels still integral and wanted and he likes the man management of Potter and he believes Chelsea are going to take great strides forward,” he added.
“So, he can see the project more than most, and he believes that the club see him as part of it.”
Work to be done as season recommences
Chelsea have slipped to eighth in the Premier League standings. Their last league victory came away to Aston Villa on October 16.
Mason Mount scored both goals at Villa Park, with Jorginho starting on the bench. He came on in the 65th minute – one of 13 outings in the league this term.
He has been handed 11 starts and responded with a couple of goals. The man with 46 international caps has also seen plenty of action in Europe.
He enjoyed four starts among six outings in the Champions League, notching a goal in the 2-0 triumph over AC Milan.
It remains to be seen what happens with his contract in the coming weeks. But Chelsea know they have to act quickly, with the new year fast approaching.
Then it will be open season in the race to secure the Imbituba-born ace.
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