Jorginho was a fundamental part of the Chelsea midfield which won the Champions League and Italy’s Euro 2020 heroes – but is he your Fans’ Footballer of the Year
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Nominees revealed for Fans’ Footballer of the Year
Football is all about the glory.
It has to be about success, medals and trophies.
That is why my choice to win the Reach Fans’ Footballer of the Year 2021 has to be Jorginho.
It comes with the caveat that it had to be a Premier League player… and yet, even so, I would still go for the Chelsea midfielder even if it was an open playing field.
Jorginho won the Euros with Italy and was a key player in Roberto Mancini’s all-conquering team, the team which broke English hearts in the summer to lift the trophy.
And the Italy midfielder also helped Chelsea win the Champions League trophy back in May, again playing a key role in their march to European success.
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When we talk about individual achievements, can you honestly beat that? No. Also, he had a remarkable year as a player.
Jorginho was not just about the hop, skip and a jump when he took penalties. His influence, his authority and his ability grew both in the 2020/21 season and through 2021.
He ran games, his passing and his vision was outstanding for club and country. This after all, was a player who arrived under Maurizio Sarri, was rather dismissed as a teacher’s pet, we struggled to see what the fuss was about.
And then he stepped out of that shadow, showed we’d got it all wrong and proved he is a super player in his own right.
It was farcical that he did not win the Ballon d’Or when you consider he won both major European trophies this year. And what did Lionel Messi do? Well, exactly.
Is Jorginho your footballer of the year? Have your say here
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Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
No-one is arguing that Messi (or indeed Cristiano Ronaldo) is not one of the greatest – if not the greatest – players of all time. But if you want to make an annual award about the year just gone then it had to be Jorginho.
It had to be Jorginho even ahead of Robert Lewandowski who I think is a footballing god, the most undervalued striker (certainly in England where so many people forget him when they talk about Harry Kane being the best No9 in the world) and a prolific goalscorer.
But actually, last year was Lewandowski’s year. And he should have won the Ballon d’Or before that, too. He deserves way more recognition.
But this year is Jorginho’s year. And of course, this award is only from Premier League players so it’s an absolute no brainer.
My other choices in the five player shortlist were Raheem Sterling, Mo Salah, Ruben Dias and Phil Foden.
I make no apology for being top heavy with Manchester City players.
Sterling was England’s best player in the Euros, a standout star who scored goals and helped us all enjoy an unforgettable summer… well, apart from the final itself which we’d rather forget.
Salah’s form and spectacular goals this season has sparked a regular debate as to whether he is now the best in the world and if he has eclipsed Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In patches, probably. His goals, control and dribbling ability have been mind blowing. A player at the top of his game. He is priceless for Liverpool, they must resolve his contract – but, seriously, who else could afford him? No-one.
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Getty Images)
Dias was a revelation and helped City win the Premier League title. He was amazing. He was the rock on which their title was built, brought the best out in John Stones and is the daddy of centre halves.
Finally, Foden came to the fore and, again, his dribbling and the way he glides across the pitch is mesmerising. The Euros was a bit stop-start for him, but he played a key role in City winning the title.
Foden’s 2022 can be even better. This guy can be the biggest star at the World Cup and inspire England to glory.
And winning trophies is what it is all about. That’s why I went for Jorginho. It’s why I still feel silly about voting for Scott Parker in 2011 in the Football Writers’ Association awards. West Ham finished bottom that year.
The best player generally has played a part in helping his team win trophies. That’s what matters and counts. Individual awards mean nothing without team success.
I don’t like awards. I don’t want to turn on the radio or TV and hear journalists congratulating themselves. It’s self important nonsense.
But when it comes to recognising the best footballers, I’ll make an exception and Jorginho is such a worthy winner.
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