Antonio Conte says midfielder has become physically ‘stronger’ since joining Chelsea

Add as preferred source on Google

Antonio Conte believes Jorginho has become a physically ‘stronger’ player since joining Chelsea in 2018 which also benefits the Italian national team.

The 29-year-old has arguably been one of the players of the tournament in the Euro 2020 so far.

It is hardly a surprise that Italy have been very solid defensively, given the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, and Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci in front of him. But Jorginho’s role as the holding midfielder has also been key.

According to UEFA’s official website, the Chelsea star has covered more ground in the tournament (72.6km) than any other player apart from Spain’s Pedri.

Jorginho also recorded 40 ball recoveries in the six games he has played, the third-highest in the competition.

This, according to Conte, is something that you would not see from the Napoli version of Jorginho.

“I think for Jorginho, it’s been very, very important to play in a league like England,” the former Chelsea boss told The Telegraph.

“Because to play in this competition in England, it’s important to play with intensity, to improve your passing and to be very, very fast in your thoughts.

“But at the same time, you have to improve physically.

“In England, Jorginho improved a lot, and he is now a stronger player.

“If you compare him to the player at Napoli, he has always been a player who likes to play football and to be the playmaker, but physically he has improved a lot.

“This is great for him and for the national team.”

Chronicle view

Conte is not the only former Chelsea boss to heap praise for Jorginho.

Maurizio Sarri previously claimed that the midfielder should be in the Ballon d’Or discussion if Italy win the Euros.

Jorginho has always had that playmaking ability, but it is pretty apparent that he has been far from being a defensive weak link that many would describe him at the start of his Chelsea career.

Well, the number of times he entered duels and won the ball for both Chelsea and Italy, particularly in the last few months, says it all.