Report: Decision time for Chelsea on £57m midfielder with one year remaining on contract

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Chelsea are reportedly needing to make a decision on the future of Italian international Jorginho.

According to The Athletic, the club need to make a call on what to do with the 30-year-old, who has indicated a desire to both stay and leave the club in the past.

He joined along with manager Maurizio Sarri from Napoli for £58m in 2018.

Jorginho remained a heavy presence in the Blues midfield last season, despite the rapidly-improving Mateo Kovacic and the ever-reliable N’golo Kante.

After a season as the surprising top scorer for the Blues, he continued to be a reliable source of goals from the penalty spot, scoring nine in all competitions for the club last season.

The midfielder has been a polarising figure at Stamford Bridge, with reports suggesting he could depart the club despite his obvious talent.

The Brazilian-born star holds a unique role at Chelsea, requiring a particular system to get the best out of him. However, that system could easily prove to be one of the most effective in the world when working well.

One of Italy’s heroes at the European Championships last summer, Jorginho has previously hinted at a potential return to Serie A, with Juventus notably interested in the past.

The Athletic claim the Old Lady have been admirers for years, and the fact the 30-year-old has just one year on his contract, Thomas Tuchel will be hopeful for a decision either way so he doesn’t go for free next summer.

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Chelsea may live to regret it if they overlook what Jorginho brings them.

While he is not as mobile as Kante and Kovacic, the Italian international brings a quality and composure on the ball, particularly in tight areas that very few players in world possess.

The impact the 30-year-old could have in a team which plays around his strengths could show the blues exactly what they turned down if he was sold or allowed to walk.