Jorginho is a liability in defence for Chelsea at the base of midfield, according to former Ireland international Kenny Cunningham.
The former Millwall defender was speaking on Monday’s OTB AM and felt that Chelsea would need a different holding midfielder should they hope to improve.
“I’m going to say it again, Jorginho at the base of that Chelsea midfield - it cost them. He’s a lovely midfield player and a lovely passer of the ball and he gets all the passing movements going.
“But the problem with him - and I’m going to keep saying it and keep banging this drum - he can’t defend. He can’t run. And he can’t tackle,” Cunningham said.
The Dubliner felt that Jorginho was at fault for both goals that Chelsea conceded against Manchester City at the weekend and that N’Golo Kante will assume his role next time out.
“For the first goal he gave away the ball cheaply at the halfway line and that can happen. But look at his recovery - immediately he doesn’t make the first tackle, gets himself to the edge of the box.
“He throws himself in front of De Bruyne but he had no intentions. It’s a token tackle. It’s like a tired tackle. He doesn’t want to stay on his feet or plant his feet and get a block.
“I can guarantee you, 100%, Kante’s playing that position Saturday. When Mahrez cuts inside the Chelsea left-back and gets his head up - he’s not looking towards the goalie, he’s looking towards Kante, racing towards him, looking to make a tackle or at worst, force him across the pitch.
“That’s the problem Chelsea are going to have going forward for me,” Cunningham commented.
Chelsea are a very young side that have yet to fully develop, but Cunningham stated that a change in midfield is needed should they look to win a league title down the line.
“Jorginho at the base of midfield is great in possession. He can start all the Chelsea attacks. Out of possession, he’s an absolute liability. Through no fault of his own. He can’t run, he can’t tackle, he can’t track runners.
“That for me was shown at the weekend. He was heavily involved in those two Manchester City goals and it’s going to come back and bite them time and time again.
“I don’t think Chelsea can win a league title potentially going forward with Jorginho at the base of midfield,” Cunningham said.
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