Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli says Jorginho should have been given the Ballon d’Or award in 2021.
The Italian international won the Champions League with Chelsea that year, as well as playing a key role in Italy winning the European Championships a couple of months later. Speaking about his teammate, Martinelli said:
“This here is one of Jorginho’s strengths, I can’t even find the words to describe it. I think he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or a while ago.”
Jorginho finished 3rd in the 2021 Ballon d’Or awards, with Lionel Messi coming out on top and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski in second place.
It’s been an excellent couple of months for Jorginho
Jorginho had barely got a look in for starts before the end of January but, after manager Mikel Arteta was forced to rejig his starting lineup following Gabriel Jesus’s injury, the midfielder has been the main beneficiary.
He has started four of the last six Premier League games, dictating play with his passing from a deep-lying midfield role. It has also gotten the most out of teammates Declan Rice and Kai Havertz as well, who have excelled in more advanced positions.
Will he stay at Arsenal beyond the end of the season?
Jorginho’s contract at the Emirates expires at the end of June. The Gunners do have an option to extend his stay for a further year and, based on his recent form, there is a good chance that they will trigger the clause.
At 32 years of age, there may be some hesitancy among the London club’s hierarchy about keeping him, especially with there being much younger options available on the transfer market, but his experience is invaluable.
