Chelsea ace Jorginho reveals Maurizio Sarri’s long list of superstitions as ‘father and son’ settle in at new club
Blues midfielder says it would take until tomorrow to name all of his manager's quirks
JORGINHO claims it would take “until tomorrow” to list all of Maurizio Sarri’s superstitions.
The Chelsea midfielder, 26, revealed his manager refuses to even touch the ball when it goes out for a throw-in and does not kick, flick or throw it back to players.
He told : “We can be here until tomorrow talking about the manager’s superstitions.”
Jorginho has settled in well to life at Stamford Bridge, aided by joining alongside his boss at Napoli.
And the pair have continued to work well together as Chelsea, and the Italian midfielder, have impressed so far this season.
With five wins and two draws from their opening seven league games, they sit just two points off co-leaders Manchester City and Liverpool.
But it has been Jorginho’s class in midfield that has been one of the standout highlights, achieving a Premier League record of 180 passes in the draw with West Ham.
And he admits he is a bit fan of his new surroundings and football in this country.
Jorginho listed what he loves: “Everything about English football, the history, the stadiums, the fact all the teams give everything until the very last minute and nobody gives up.”
It was no secret that Manchester City pursued the midfielder but Chelsea paid £57million for his services.
And he is relishing the chance to link up with Sarri again.
He said: “He’s got a great story and it’s good he has stayed the same and stayed true to himself.
“He’s a very straightforward kind of guy, he likes the simple things. It is important for a person, be it in professional or personal circumstances, to be true to yourself.
“His style of play and the way he works is very offensive, out on the pitch we play very attacking and it’s all about organisation as well so once we get out onto the pitch everyone knows what they are doing and it is easier for everyone.
“He talks to you about all the different options and possible situations out there and it helps you a lot when you arrive on the pitch.”
It is that close relationship with his manager built over three years together that has seen him earn the nickname of “Sarri’s son” in the Chelsea dressing room.
‘I’D LOVE TO STAY’ Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas keen on signing new contract to extend Stamford Bridge stay
But he dismissed the idea of being a teacher’s pet within the squad.
The Brazilian-born ace said: “In football being a teacher’s pet doesn’t really come into it and there’s a lot about our relationship that people don’t know so pet does not come into it.”
Eden Hazard agrees and has been impressed by the midfielder’s quick adaptation to life in the Premier League.
Hazard, as well as the likes of Willian and N’Golo Kante, appear to be benefiting from his calming influence in the middle of the park.
The Belgian said: “Jorginho is a top player. It is not because he is a friend of the manager. I don’t think about that. He’s playing fantastically at the moment.
“He controls the midfield. He likes the ball. He had the confidence with the manager already because he played with him before.
“He knows the manager. In the dressing room we say that Sarri is the father of Jorginho because they always talk and laugh together, but I understand why because Jorginho is a fantastic player.
“He makes life simple for us, the right ball at the right moment.”