Jorginho’s versatility for Italy will be key for Chelsea

Italy cemented itself as one of the top teams at Euro 2020 with yet another impressive victory on Sunday afternoon, this time 1-0 over Wales. Even with a first XI that featured eight changes from the team’s previous win against Switzerland, the Azzurri controlled possession and dictated the tempo of the entire match. A big reason for this continued dominance was one of the players who remained in Roberto Mancini’s starting line-up, the Chelsea maestro, Jorginho.

The Brazilian-born Italian international has truly been a standout player for the Mancini’s side, and one of the top performers in the entire tournament so far. His most important attribute has been—as usual—his ability to command the midfield alongside Inter Milan’s Nico Barella and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti (sometimes Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli or Atalanta’s Matteo Pessina, as well) in what has been arguably the best triumvirate at Euro 2020. The Italians had 63 percent possession, 50 percent possession and 70 percent possession against Turkey, Switzerland and Wales respectively, much of which was due to Jorginho’s influence.

An underrated aspect of Jorginho’s game that the European Championships have brought out is his versatility and competency in different systems. While he undoubtedly thrived under Thomas Tuchel’s preferred 3-4-3 formation that saw Chelsea ascend to continental glory, he has also been an effective participant in Mancini’s 4-3-3. This ability to play in a midfield duo, as well as in a group of three, will be crucial if the Blues ever need to adjust their tactics for specific opponents.

Looking at the Chelsea squad, there are multiple formations that Tuchel could utilize featuring three midfielders. The primary options are a 4-3-3 and a 3-5-2, although the latter is certainly more interesting and better-suited for this team that is already comfortable playing three at the back. Especially if a few high-profile signings are made this summer—looking at you, Erling Haaland—either of these systems would be well-suited to Jorginho’s style of play.

The 4-3-3 is a classic formation that many Chelsea supporters will be very familiar with, although many recent instances of the Blues employing it are slightly traumatic given they came at the end of the Frank Lampard era. Still, with a veritable tactician like Tuchel at the helm, there is a chance to strike a nice balance with Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante on either side of Jorginho. These two participants in the 2018 World Cup final provide enough offensively and defensively that the Italian playmaker would have sufficient time and space to do what he does best; sit back and distribute the ball to his forwards.

With the 3-5-2, Kovacic and Kante would also be the likely candidates to join Jorginho in the starting XI. Ahead of them, though, there are numerous options. Kai Havertz would almost certainly secure one of the forward slots, but his partner in attack is a question mark. If Timo Werner somehow reverted back to his old self and started scoring on a consistent basis, he would be given a great deal of freedom to run behind opposing defenses without having to worry about defensive cover. With extremely skillful ball-players supporting him from the back, Jorginho chief among them, Werner’s goal tally could be massive.

It is unlikely that Tuchel moves away from the 3-4-3 system given that Chelsea won the Champions League less than a month ago, but it is always great to see a member of the team performing well in a major international tournament. If any Blues fans are still looking for a team to support during the remainder of the Euros, Jorginho and the Italians are an entertaining watch and a top pick to win it all. Forza Italia, forza Jorginho!