Jorginho says Chelsea fans abuse in first season under Maurizio Sarri made him consider QUITTING
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has revealed that he considered leaving the club after receiving unfair criticism during his first season.
The midfielder was brought to Stamford Bridge by his former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri for £57million in the summer of 2018.
The Italian international struggled to adapt to the Premier League in his first season as Sarri played him in a holding midfield role to let N’Golo Kante roam further up the pitch.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho was bought by Maurizio Sarri £57m in the summer of 2018
Former manager Sarri went to Juventus after Chelsea and Jorginho considered joining him
Jorginho told FourFourTwo that the criticism he received was unjust but only served as motivation for the remainder of his campaign.
‘Last year, fans were picking on me a lot because I’d arrived with another manager and, in my opinion, I ended up hearing some things that were honestly unfair.
‘But I’ve never challenged the views of the fans and other people who criticised me. Quite the opposite, actually – it gave me strength because inside I knew they were wrong.
‘Deep in my mind, it was like this: “I’m going to prove they’re wrong and work quietly like I’ve always done, because it’s never been easy for me”.’
While it has been reported that Italian giants Juventus were pining for Jorginho’s signature, the midfielder revealed that he was considering following his former boss Sarri to the Old Lady this summer.
‘I’ve gone through moments like this at every club I’ve played for – this low moment when doubt can come and make you wonder, “Should I just leave this place? Maybe there isn’t room for me here”,’ he added.
‘But I embrace this kind of challenge, and I’ve never backed down. It gives me more strength to work even harder, to prove to everyone that I can make it.’
Jorginho has clocked up 26 league appearances this season and scored four goals
He thanked current manager Frank Lampard for publicly backing and supporting him
During Sarri’s reign, Jorginho scored and assisted two times in 37 Premier League outings. But he was heavily criticised by fans for being the architect of the often condemned slow, possession-based style of ‘Sarri-ball’, and even experienced boos from his own fans in a Europa League game.
The 28-year-old has since found a new lease of life this season under new coach Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea legend’s more aggressive style of football has suited the Italian who has been let off the leash and allowed to play more expansively.
After winning over the fans under the new boss, Jorginho thanked Lampard for backing him publicly during a time of such uncertainty.
‘I thank him for the sincerity he showed towards me in public. He didn’t have to do that, and not every manager does it. He’s a legend inside the club, so people listen to what he says.’
Under Lampard, Jorginho has clocked up 26 league appearances this season and scored four goals throughout the campaign.
