Sarri names the Chelsea star who could win the Ballon d'Or

Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has predicted which Blues star could challenge for the Ballon d’Or award in 2021.

Jorginho should be a Ballon d’Or candidate if he helps Italy win Euro 2020 this summer, says Maurizio Sarri.

The defensive midfielder played a key role behind Chelsea’s Champions League success and top-four finish in the Premier League last season. He has since continued his fine form in this summer’s European Championship.

Jorginho has started in all of Italy’s five games in Euro 2020 to help the Azzurri reach the semi-finals. Just two more wins will seal the national team a first European title since 1968.

“If he wins the European Championship, he is a candidate for the Ballon d’Or,” Sarri told SportItalia about Jorginho.

“He’s a refined player, and that’s why everyone doesn’t understand him.

“He makes everything seem easy, it’s his greatness. When I went to Chelsea, we managed to snatch him from Manchester City.

“At first it was hard to understand him, the fans, the journalist, now I see that he is appreciated. He was also a captain of Chelsea.”

Jorginho made 162 appearances under Sarri at Napoli and Chelsea. The pair first worked together in Italy for three seasons before the 29-year-old followed the coach to London in 2018.

Since Sarri left Stamford Bridge a year later, Jorginho has frequently been linked with a return to Italy. But to his credit, he has stayed put at Chelsea and thrived under managers Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel.

The Brazilian-born midfielder, though, has recently claimed his focus lies on helping his team win titles rather than pursuing individual accolades. He returns to action on Tuesday for Italy’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Spain at Wembley.