Newcastle United’s interest in securing a transfer for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has now come into question. Toon chiefs also have two major concerns over the Italian’s suitability.
That is according to The Telegraph, which reports the Magpies are not committing to a bid for Jorginho in January. Eddie Howe is keen to add to his engine room in the winter market after urging the St James’ Park club to fund bids having now lost Jonjo Shelvey to an injury.
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Shelvey has sustained a serious calf injury that could keep the 30-year-old out of action for up to two months. He had only returned to fitness in October following a hamstring injury that needed surgery and kept the six-cap England international out of action since August.
Newcastle have two major concerns over a transfer of Chelsea midfielder Jorginho
But while Howe wants to sign new midfielders, Newcastle are not committing to a transfer of Chelsea ace Jorginho yet. Toon chiefs question if the Italian still has the mobility to fit in their system. They also believe his salary demands would be ‘far too big’ for their budget.
The Newcastle hierarchy are reluctant to spend large amounts in January despite Howe’s request for new arrivals. Chief scout Steve Nickson has, however, fashioned a long list of potential targets should decision-makers on Tyneside agree to back a mid-season splurge.
Jorginho had emerged as a potential transfer target for Newcastle as his Chelsea contract ends in June. The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that the 31-year-old has appeared on the Toon’s radar due to his future in west London beyond this term appearing questionable.
Chelsea are in talks with Jorginho over a new deal but are keen to lower the average age of Graham Potter’s squad. The Evening Standard also reported in October that the Blues have offered to extend his current £120k-a-week deal. But he wants a pay rise to £150k-a-week.
How many passes per game does Jorginho average at Stamford Bridge?
The Evening Standard also noted that Jorginho would prefer to stay at Chelsea rather than seek a transfer before Newcastle’s interest emerged. But he further wants to be seen as an important senior player after four years at the club. He left Napoli in 2018 for up to £57m.
Jorginho is additionally the Blues’ vice-captain and has started 12 of his 14 Premier League appearances this season. His strength in their system and for Italy also comes in the 46-cap technician’s ability to set the pace of their matches, rather than charging around the pitch.
Former Newcastle star Jose Enrique lauded Jorginho as ‘world-class’ for the Chelsea man’s ability on the ball as Italy met England in the UEFA Nations League this September. His skill in possession would be why Howe would sign him, rather than for his mobility in the core.
Yet Jorginho also only ranks seventh at Stamford Bridge for the average number of passes a Blues player makes per game in the Premier League this season. Per WhoScored, he has averaged 48.2 passes per game while centre-half Wesley Fofana tops their chart with 95.
Jorginho would also rank fourth at Newcastle with his average passes per Premier League game so far this term. Per WhoScored, Bruno Guimaraes (51.6), Kieran Trippier (51.3) and Fabian Schar (48.9) are all providing Howe with a higher volume of passes per game so far.
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