Jorginho epitomises Chelsea change after delivering Frank Lampard’s first home league win

At one point last season, as Jorginho came on as a substitute against Malmo in the Europa League in February, the Stamford Bridge crowd erupted in a chorus of boos.

The Brazilian-born Italian international midfielder epitomised everything that at stage of a wobbling season, the fans did not like. 

They did not like manager Maurizio Sarri’s football – and they certainly did not like Jorginho, the lynchpin of that side, the fulcrum of their short-passing, patient style.

Seven months later, a new manager in charge, a new style of faster, more aggressive football in a team packed with exciting young players, and the fans are singing Jorginho’s name.

The 27-year-old was never a bad player. After all, Chelsea paid £57million to Napoli for the midfielder, just about clinching the deal ahead of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. 

But his association with Sarri coloured opinion, fans labelling the Italy international the manager’s teachers’ pet.

Jorginho has fought hard to rid himself of that burden, and with Frank Lampard firmly backing him now, his talents have gradually become more appreciated.

And as he helped Chelsea secure their first home win of the season on Saturday, the tide seemed to finally turn – especially when he tucked away an expert penalty to give Chelsea the lead.

Jorginho said: “It’s amazing to be cheered by the fans, because last season it was impossible. 

“I’m very happy how they changed their minds about me. I worked a lot. I never said anything, I just work and work and work and the results are coming and I am very happy with that.

“I could feel the crowd against me last season and it made me a little bit sad because I knew I was not like that. 

“In my mind I said, I just have to work hard and change their minds and they have to notice they made a mistake about me.

“I am happy things have changed with a new manager.  I can show I’m here not just for the coach. 

“I’m thankful of what we did with Sarri because it was amazing, we worked four years together. I’m very thankful for what I learned.

“But I’m here for my quality, how much I work. All my life I work hard. I’m here for that. Not just for the coach.”

Chelsea made and missed a hatful of chances, as Tammy Abraham hit the post and Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan was in defiant mode, making a string of saves, before Mason Mount was felled in the area just after half time, and Jorginho stepped up to casually slot home the spot kick.

Jorginho said: “I have changed the way I play – I try to do what the coach wants so I can adapt myself. He wants more forward play, not too much short passing, so I am trying to do that.

”This season we are playing with more long balls, more runs, less short passing. It has changed, but the mentality is the same, pressing the other team and trying to have the control of the match.”

Brighton staged a brief rally as Dan Burn’s header bounced down and came back off the bar, but three minutes later William got away on the right to fire home a deflected shot from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s pass, and the game was over.

source: express.co.uk