BBC pundit Garth Crooks says Chelsea finally have something they’ve lacked since the days of Frank Lampard, which is an expert penalty taker.
Blues icon Lampard scored 48 of his 56 penalties during his days as a Chelsea player. The legendary midfielder was usually clinical from 12 yards by firing in his spot-kicks with plenty of power.
Current Chelsea midfielder Jorginho is the current taker at Stamford Bridge and he successfully converted two penalties on the weekend during the 3-2 Premier League win at home to Leeds United. His overall record for the club is now 21 scored from 24 penalty attempts.
Crooks reckons Italian deep-lying playmaker Jorginho is the best from 12 yards Chelsea have had since Lampard left as a player in 2014.
In fairness, Eden Hazard scored 26 and missed five penalties during his spell for the London club. Elsewhere, the likes of Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa were part-time penalty takers as cover to Hazard.
“Last week his backpass put Chelsea on skid row at West Ham. However, against Leeds his two expertly-executed penalties provided the Blues with three very important points in a title race that is so unpredictable and so tight it’s impossible to call,” Crooks wrote for BBC Sport.
“Taking spot-kicks can be a nerve-wracking experience and only those who have ever taken one in such circumstances can appreciate the moment.
“Jorginho has become a safe pair of hands when it comes to taking penalties and so valuable in a team that has desperately struggled to find a competent taker since the days of Frank Lampard.”
Lukaku should be desperate for pens
Jorginho’s been a little inconsistent from 12 yards in the past couple of years for club and country, but it’s hard to argue against his overall record as a Chelsea player.
Blues frontman Romelu Lukaku should be banging on the manager’s door asking for penalty duty, though.
He’s now up to five goals in all competitions this season and there is a lot of pressure on his shoulders to deliver more in the final third.
The centre-forward’s penalty record for club and country in his career is scored 30 times and missed five.
He would get so much more confidence if he took over from Jorginho on penalty duty, however, it would be a controversial decision to remove the in-form midfielder.
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