'Teacher's Pet' Jorginho was not upset with Sarri's departure

Bengaluru, Aug 2: Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has insisted he wasn’t sad when Maurizio Sarri left Chelsea this summer. The duo moved to Stamford Bridge in 2018 after spending three years together at Napoli.

The 27-year-old quickly became a key figure under Sarri in a new-look 4-3-3 system, displacing N’Golo Kante from the defensive midfield position in order to dictate Sarriball. However, the Italy international took a while to win over supporters after Sarri’s tactics failed to catch on.

He was often accused of being a 'teacher’s pet' after seemingly becoming untouchable in the starting XI. But a strong end to the campaign saw Jorginho help Chelsea win the Europa League.

Sarri then shocked the Blues when he asked to be released from his contract in order to return to Italy with Serie A champions Juventus. Reports soon claimed Sarri was looking to work with Jorginho at a third different club but Chelsea's transfer ban meant they were not interested in selling any players apart from Eden Hazard.

The playmaker is now set to become an important player under new manager Frank Lampard. And Jorginho is looking firmly to his future at Chelsea by surprisingly insisting he wasn't upset when Sarri left.

Jorginho told the media: “It has been a new experience for me. I am liking it as I am learning, which I like to do. I am happy I got this opportunity; I like to learn and find out more. It’s going to be beneficial to my career and the club and the team. I have an open mind to learning new experiences.

“No, I wouldn’t say I was sad [when Sarri left]. He was my coach and we had worked together for four years but the time had come to go separate ways and I am very thankful to him for giving me the opportunity and everything I learnt from him.

“But now it is a new page and I have a new coach and I have to work hard and learn a lot. We have to look ahead.

“I ask about positions and various other aspects of the game which are important to know.

“I need to understand what he wants from me. So, I also ask to develop my game.

“The more questions I ask takes any doubt away and we can play the way he wants to play. Then we can give to the team just how he wants us to deliver.

“I will do what I have always done and give my maximum performance. Fans can expect the same from me – hard work and a lot of work on the pitch to try to bring trophies and silverware that this club deserves.

“I believe [I’ll get more goals and assists this season]. I haven’t got many. Some people said I haven’t got any assists – maybe they haven’t watched the games properly because I could find passes there.

“Hopefully I will have more luck this season and I can add a few more assists and goals too, but the most important thing is the team wins. It is more important for the team to win than the number of my assists.”