Chelsea star Jorginho left red-faced with huge blunder just days after Ballon d’Or boast
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Chelsea midfielder and Ballon d’Or nominee Jorginho experienced an uncharacteristic moment of madness during his side’s draw with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. The Italian maestro has played an influential role for the Blues since joining from Napoli in the summer of 2018 and is widely considered to be among the world’s very best deep-lying operators.
He has enjoyed a hugely successful year, winning the Champions League last season before achieving further continental success with Italy at Euro 2020 over the summer.
Jorginho’s recent trophy-laden exploits have earned him a place on this year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski as a welcome reward for his efforts.
However, the 29-year-old was some way off his best form when the ball dropped towards him at one point during the second half against United on Sunday.
He only needed to bring the loose ball under control and locate a team-mate with a simple pass, but ended up misjudging his touch.
The Chelsea man’s error allowed Jadon Sancho to race through on goal and slot the ball into the bottom corner to open the scoring for United.
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Jorginho went on to redeem himself by equalising from the penalty spot to rescue a point for the Blues, but he will be looking to forget his embarrassing blunder as quickly as possible.
His mistake was aptly timed, with Jorginho recently suggesting that he deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award instead of Messi, Lewandowski or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Yes, I consider myself a candidate,” he told Brazilian outlet Placar earlier this month.
“Because of my achievements and my performances last season. I won two of Europe’s biggest tournaments, something that few other players have ever done.
“Of course, my characteristics are totally different to those of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Mbappe and others.
“I don’t have their goals or assists, and nor should I, given my position on the pitch.
“But I’m convinced of what I’ve done, and I’m sure I have good credentials to compete for the Ballon d’Or.”
It remains to be seen whether Jorginho will ultimately pick up football’s most prestigious individual award when the winner is announced tomorrow evening.
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It has been reported that Messi has already been informed that he will claim the prize yet again.
However, the lucky recipient of this year’s honour is yet to be officially confirmed by those in charge of the award.
United legend Rio Ferdinand recently declared that Jorginho has little to no chance of winning, insisting that he was left baffled by the Chelsea midfielder’s inclusion on the shortlist.
“He’s not the best player at Chelsea and he’s not the first name on the team sheet with Italy either,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“He’s a very good player, don’t get me wrong, and I’m not trying to be disrespectful at all, but I don’t see how he gets on the list with those players, with the levels that these guys have been playing at.”
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