From Chelsea core to Brazilian league: Jorginho s footballer s second half

Once upon a time, Jorginho was the most stable "metronome" in Chelsea's midfielder and will now play as a flamenco player. The 33-year-old Italian midfielder is experiencing the most dramatic twist of his career - from the darling of the top European giants to the "suspense player" in the South American League, outside doubts follow: Did Jorginho really "do not do anything badly"?

Peaks and Troughs: A game of time and tactics

In the summer window of 2018, Jorginho joined Chelsea from Naples for 57 million euros, hitting it off with Conte's tactical philosophy. Conte's 3-4-3 system requires an accurate straight-pass midfielder, and Jorginho's field control ability and overall view are perfectly matched. Under Conte, Jorginho quickly became a key player: in the 2018-19 season, he contributed 6 assists to help Chelsea win the championship with 13 consecutive victories; in the 2019 Europa League final, he started the game and locked the victory with a key interception.

At this time, Conte and Jorginho were the "stabilizing needles" in Chelsea's locker room. Conte's on-the-spot dispatch and Jorginho's tactical execution made the Blues the most competitive team in the Premier League at that time.

For this reason, when he transfers to Arsenal at a high price in 2021, fans expect him to become the "new brain" in the Arteta system.

But reality is far more cruel than imagined. In Arteta's tactical system of pursuing high-post pressing, Jorginho's slow pace of shooting and lack of defensive hardness are infinitely amplified. In the 2022-23 season, although he played 34 Premier League games for Arsenal, he could only make a substitute for most of the time, and was even dubbed by fans as the "guardian of water dispenser". This is in stark contrast to his impressive data of 6 assists in a single season at Chelsea.

The collision of Brazilian sentiment and reality

Choosing to join Flamenco seems to be Jorginho's "retreat", but in fact it implies careful calculations. Flamengo is not only his parent team (his father once played here), but he is more willing to offer him an annual salary (about 15 million euros) higher than that of second-tier European clubs. More importantly, he can still play a core role in the Brazilian league. Data shows that he immediately contributed 5 assists after joining the team and led the team back to the championship ranks.

"In Europe, they need a machine that can sprint at the age of 25; here, it doesn't matter if you are over 30 years old, players who can think are more valuable." Jorginho's agent once responded to the question.

In fact, his technical characteristics (precise long passes, tactical awareness) have become a scarce product in South American arena. In the Club World Cup match against Asian teams, his scheduling ability may prove once again: the value of a veteran is never limited to age.

From the "Double Championship" to supporting roles: the cruel rules of professional stadium

Win the 2021 European Cup championship night, Jorginho is the most silent hero in the Italian team's locker room. But at Arsenal, he gradually faded his core aura. When wingers in their early 20s such as Saka and Martinelli became new favorites, Jorginho had to accept a role change - from the core of the organization to the "lubricant" in the counterattack. This gap is just like Pirlo joined Juventus after leaving AC Milan, and changed from a protagonist to a supporting role.

However, Jorginho's choice of "superiorship" was not a failure. In Brazil, he can maintain a competitive state (the flamenco training base is located on a plateau at an altitude of 800 meters) and avoid the risk of injury in the European league. As former Chelsea legend Drogba said: "In Europe, 32 years old is a watershed; but in South America, this is the beginning of golden age." The story of Jorginho exposes the romantic imagination of professional football. There is no "never ending legend" here, only the law of survival that is constantly adjusted. From Stamford Bridge to Maracana, he is always looking for a stage that suits him.

Perhaps several years later, when people mention this midfield master, they will not describe it as "opening high and closing low", but remember how he is still active in the top stadium of world football at the age of 33.