Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri wants Jorginho to show his credentials when they face Manchester City this afternoon. Both City and Sarri’s Chelsea like to dominate possession, with central playmaker Jorginho key to the Blues’ style and substance.
That is where Sarri believes the match will be decided, rather than by the likes of Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain for the visitors, or Sergio Aguero and company for the hosts.
Sarri said: “It will be really very difficult to be in control of the match. The match is there (in midfield), more than in the strikers.”
Jorginho has made the most passes in the Premier League this season (2,219; no assists), while Fernandinho is key for City, allowing his flashier team-mates to flourish.
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Sarri, though, is adamant stopping Chelsea is not as simple as nullifying Jorginho, who followed him to Stamford Bridge from Napoli; likewise with Fernandinho and City. “They are able to play if you stop Fernandinho and also we’re able to play if you stop Jorginho,” Sarri added. “We have options. Maybe they have more options than us because they have worked on this for three seasons. “But I remember that in Naples it wasn’t a big problem if there was a man on Jorginho, so I hope it will be the same here in the future.”
