LONDON • Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta insists the much-maligned Jorginho will eventually silence the critics because he is reaching peak form ahead of today's crucial Premier League home clash against Watford.
The Italy midfielder has endured a difficult first season after his ponderous displays made him a target for the club's frustrated fans.
Blues boss Maurizio Sarri brought Jorginho with him from Napoli in the close-season having identified Chelsea's midfield as a weak link.
He believed the player was the right man to help implement his tactical game plan after they worked together successfully in Serie A.
It has not turned out that way as Chelsea, with N'Golo Kante pushed out of his preferred defensive midfield role, struggled to adapt to "Sarri-ball", leading to criticism for both Jorginho and his manager.
But Azpilicueta pointed out the influential performance of Brazil-born Jorginho, 27, at Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday as proof of his importance.
Even when patched up due to a bandaged head wound, he was the key figure in their 1-1 draw in the Europa League semi-final first leg.
Azpilicueta said: "It was an important game for him. He grew into the game by getting more control, creating more space for the two attacking midfielders where he could find them in very dangerous positions.
"He can create that pass and move forward. It also meant we could enjoy more space in front of us."
Jorginho's performance gave the platform for fellow midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek to give one pf his best club displays, including the assist for Pedro's equaliser.
Now the Blues return to Premier League action as FA Cup finalists Watford visit Stamford Bridge.
Sarri's fourth-placed side are guaranteed to qualify for next season's Champions League via a top-four finish if they win beat Watford and Leicester in their last two games.
Chelsea, two points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal (66), can also reach the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
Should the Gunners not win today at home to Brighton, the Blues will be assured of a top-four spot with a victory over Watford.
Following his impressive performance, Loftus-Cheek could be an important player in the tail end of the season but Sarri believes he should not overexert the player.
He said the 23-year old will never truly overcome the back problems that have frustrated his season and his senior career, and will always need to follow a personalised fitness and training programme to maximise his game time.
The midfielder, who has a curve in the spine in his lower back, has suffered muscular spasms since he was a teenager and, along with a specific training routine, has taken up yoga to manage the problem.
"I don't think he will need surgery," said Sarri. "But we have to control him.
"In the last month he has been able to train every day so, for us, it's really very important."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
CHELSEA V WATFORD
Singtel TV Ch103 & StarHub Ch228, 8.50pm
April 13 (Reuters)- Chris Wood scored twice as Burnley took a major step towards Premier League safety with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday which left the Welsh club deep
Wood double gives Burnley win over Cardiff in relegation scrap
Qatari goal machine Ali targets Europe move before 2022 World Cup. ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Almoez Ali brushed off a row about his eligibility to scoop an Asian Cup winner's medal and smash a 23-year-old scoring record on Friday, confirming that Qatar have a potential star in the making for when they host the 2022 World Cup.
Football: Qatari goal machine Ali targets Europe move before
In November 2009, Singapore hosted Thailand at the National Stadium and lost 3-1, but won the return fixture 1-0 a few days later, earning Singapore their first victory on Thai soil in 48 years. Singapore next hosted Iran, losing 1-3, and the 1-2 defeat against Jordan which followed ended their hopes of Asian Cup football in 2011.
'Internet addiction a mental disorder'
malaysia.shafaqna.com/EN/AL/502806
Football: Ikhsan Fandi the match-winner as Singapore Under-22s beat Thais 1-0 to capture Merlion Cup - straitstimes Respect PM's decision on MACC chief's post, says Mukhriz
Newspapers | Media | Virginia Bus
virginiabus.info/news/world-briefs-teen-climate-activist-to-get-human-rights-award/
Football: Italy upset Australia at Women's World Cup with Bonansea double; Football: Polish fans fined for fighting each other before Euro qualifier, team beat North Macedonia for 3rd win; Football: Ikhsan Fandi the match-winner as Singapore Under-22s beat Thais 1-0 to capture Merlion Cup
West African farm bootcamp gets green entrepreneurs into shape
malaysia.shafaqna.com/EN/AL/503292
Football: Ikhsan Fandi the match-winner as Singapore Under-22s beat Thais 1-0 to capture Merlion Cup - straitstimes Respect PM's decision on MACC chief's post, says Mukhriz
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery believes Liverpool can match Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' and go through the Premier League season unbeaten. The Gunners travel to Anfield on Saturday evening
Liverpool can be Invincibles, says Emery - Punch Newspapers
April 23, Reuters - Christian Eriksen's 88th minute goal finally broke Brighton and Hove Albion's brave resistance to give Tottenham Hotspur a precious 1-0 victory in their quest for a top-four
Eriksen's late goal secures precious win for Tottenham
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 17, 2019, with the headline 'Europa League hat-trick hero Giroud hoping for EPL chance'.
Europa League hat-trick hero Giroud hoping for EPL chance
LONDON • Manchester United have been on a roll since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment with 11 wins from 13 games in all competitions, but Jurgen Klopp believes he has "the blueprint" to inflict their first Premier League loss under the caretaker boss tomorrow.
Tottenham must adopt Liverpool(ish) blueprint to beat
LONDON: Real Madrid have knocked Manchester United off the top of Deloitte's Football Money League, but the Premier League still flexed its financial muscle, with all of England's 'Big Six
Real Madrid take top spot from Man Utd in 'money league
LONDON, (Reuters) - Chelsea suffered a setback in their push for a Champions League spot when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley in the Premier League yesterday and tempers flared
Chelsea draw 2-2 with Burnley, denting Champions League hopes
Chelsea star Eden Hazard has paid tribute to his team-mate Cesc Fabregas, who is set to depart the club after four and a half seasons.. The 31-year-old is closing in on a move to Monaco, where he will link up with manager Thierry Henry, a team-mate of Fabregas at Arsenal.
Eden Hazard says goodbye to 'great friend' Cesc Fabregas as
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 12, 2019, with the headline 'United will attack PSG, vows Solskjaer'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
United will attack PSG, vows Solskjaer - theworldnews.net
Singapore: Tampines Rovers stay on top of Group F after two added-time goals gave them a dramatic 4-2 win over Naga World on Matchday Four of the 2019 AFC Cup on Wednesday. The three points ensured that the Singapore side maintained a three-point lead over second-placed Hanoi FC. There was a dream
Group F: Tampines Rovers FC 1-1 Hanoi FC - the-afc.com
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool were left to regret two huge missed chances by Mohamed Salah as Everton held out for a 0-0 draw in the Merseyside derby on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp's men now trail champions Manchester City by a point at the top of the Premier League with nine games remaining.
0 comments:
Post a Comment