Jorginho has been widely tipped by many to win the Ballon d’Or this year after an impressive season both domestically and internationally.
The Italian capped off an unbelievable campaign by winning both the Champions League with Chelsea and Euro 2020 with his country.
His performances have earned him global recognition, so much so that some believe he is in with a real shot of winning the famous individual accolade, which has been dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent years.
However, as both Messi and Ronaldo are forwards, there have been suggestions that players in different positions are often overlooked.
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Former Manchester United midfielder, Luke Chadwick, thinks that is changing and midfielders like Jorginho are starting to be recognised for their hard work and talent.
“Deep-lying midfielders are now really important in the game and we’re seeing kids coming through who recognise that role they play in their teams,” he told CaughtOffside.
“Jorginho has got to be in with a shout of winning the Ballon d’Or.”
Chadwick even compared the Italian to his former United teammates, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick. Both were fantastic players and serial winners, but sometimes their efforts went under the radar.
“He probably hasn’t had a lot of performances where he was man of the match, putting in a 9/10 performance week in, week out, but it’s his consistency and his elegant play in the mould of a Scholes or a Carrick that means he’d be a deserved winner.
“Lionel Messi will surely be in with a shout again after his performances at the Copa America, but it’s nice to see that the award is not just being dominated by Ronaldo and Messi every year, it’s good to see other players get a sniff.”
Chadwick isn’t the only person who thinks Jorginho deserves to win the award.
In fact, Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has also stated that the Ballon d’Or should be awarded to the 29-year-old midfielder.
“Should they give it to Jorginho? It would be deserved,” Zola told Sporting Index.
“He gives concrete balance and pace to his teams. I was lucky to have him at Chelsea and I know what he does on the pitch.
“It would be deserved because not only were his performances at a high level, but the teams he played for have been outstanding. This must be taken into account.”
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