MY ACCOUNT
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel praised the response of Jorginho to Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
The Blues playmaker saw his nation fail to reach Qatar 2022 following their UEFA play-off loss to North Macedonia last month, bringing the Azzurri back to earth after last year’s Euro 2020 triumph.
For Jorginho, a standout performer for club and country over the past year-and-a-half, it has been a bitter blow, and he was released early from international duty to return to Stamford Bridge.
Speaking ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Brentford this weekend, Tuchel said he had not addressed the matter in-depth with the player, but took time to hail his resolve.
“To be very honest, I did not speak a lot with him about that,” Tuchel told a media conference. “What could I say to make his pain go away? Nothing.
“If I am the 200th person to tell him to put his head up high… Like always, with the players, it is our job to create an environment and atmosphere where the players feel welcome, feel safe.
“Of course this happens in sport, and it feels horrible for him personally. But here is a safe place for him. He was very strong in training, with a good response.
“He came in one day earlier than he needed to be. That’s why I had the feeling that he wanted to be back in this environment, because it is a positive environment.”
Jorginho was instrumental in Chelsea’s run to Champions League glory last term, and then Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph over England in July.
But two missed penalties during the World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland proved pivotal in the Azzurri failing to win their group and having to contest the play-offs.
The Brazilian-born midfielder will now look to help Chelsea push on to finish on a high this term, with the club still in contention for FA Cup and Champions League success once more.
