Michael Brown admits Jorginho ‘concerns me’ with the midfielder’s tendency to ‘disappear when the going gets tough’. But he believes the Chelsea star’s transfer is good for Arsenal.
The Gunners have agreed on terms with the Blues to sign Jorginho in a £12m deadline day move. He will cost the Premier League leaders an initial £10m plus future add-ons, per The Guardian. The Italy ace will also sign a contract to June 2024 with an optional further year.
Chelsea have agreed to let Jorginho secure a transfer to Arsenal as he is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this June. The Blues have also sought to continue refreshing boss Graham Potter’s squad this month. So, his move raises funds for a player otherwise leaving for free.
Arsenal turned to a transfer for Jorginho after failing to convince Brighton & Hoe Albion to sell Moises Caicedo. The Athletic also notes that Mikel Arteta was the driving force behind the Emirates Stadium side’s interest in the Chelsea ace after an injury to Mohamed Elneny.
Arteta will be without Elneny for the foreseeable future having required surgery on a knee injury sustained in training. So, the Spaniard sought to sign Jorginho, who has played in 18 Premier League games this season. He also started in 15 and has two goals, both penalties.
Brown has one huge concern amid his praise for Jorginho’s transfer to Arsenal
Former Manchester City midfielder Brown now believes Jorginho has the potential to be a ‘wonderful’ transfer from Chelsea for Arsenal. He feels the 31-year-old will fit into Arteta’s side perfectly and will boost the morale in their squad. But he also has a pressing concern.
“He’ll fit in perfectly with Arsenal’s philosophy,” Brown told BBC Sport. “He is so cool and he comes having won the Champions League and the Euros, carrying all that success. In a team playing with confidence, he can be a wonderful signing.
“The only thing that concerns me is that he can disappear when the going gets tough. How can he go from being such a great player in that team all the time to not being able to get a game? That does concern me slightly.
“But, for those Arsenal players, it will be exciting having Jorginho join and he will be a big lift to the dressing room.”
Jorginho, who is the vice-captain at Chelsea, will leave Stamford Bridge in a transfer with Arsenal after four-and-a-half-years. He joined the Blues on a £110k-a-week contract from Napoli in 2018 for £50m, rising to £57m. The 46-cap ace has since featured in 213 games.
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