Giorgio
Chiellini insists Italy team-mate Jorginho "truly deserves" to win the
Ballon d'Or.
Veteran Juventus defender Chiellini and Chelsea playmaker Jorginho helped
Italy claim Euro 2020 glory as the Azzurri beat England on penalties to lift
the title at Wembley in the summer.
Jorginho also proved central to Chelsea's Champions League triumph last
term, flourishing under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will take on Chiellini's Juventus in Turin on Wednesday night, and
Juve's 37-year-old centre-back revealed his strong belief that Jorginho
should be awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or.
"I truly hope he will be able to win it, because he's a good friend of
mine," said Chiellini.
"And it would also be an award that I will also feel is mine, being an
Italian of course, and as a player involved in a win and emotions that will
always be in our hearts.
"I'd always thought that Jorginho was a good player... Since (Italy boss
Roberto) Mancini arrived and was able to give continuity, I was able to
realise just how good he is and what a top player he really is.
"Maybe he doesn't have the greatest physical qualities, but the real
difference lies in his head and his mentality."
Jorginho joined Chelsea from Napoli for £50m in 2018, following former boss
Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge.
Detractors of the defensive midfielder felt Jorginho was limited to playing
his ex-Napoli boss' "Sarriball" tactics, and he received a lot of criticism
in his early west London days.
A stellar 2020/21 campaign has done away with all that, however, with
Jorginho proving his genuine quality beyond any doubt.
Chiellini admitted he has been delighted to see his international team-mate
put one over his critics.
"I was really happy, because many people said he could only play with Sarri
and instead two other coaches arrived at Chelsea - and also the Italian
national team," said Chiellini.
"So wherever he goes, wherever he plays, he's a regular player.
"I'm really happy for him and he truly deserves to win that award. So I hope
that he will be awarded the Ballon d'Or."
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