MX23RW : Thursday, February 28 09:16:31
Feb 24, 2019 at 4.30pm UK at ​Wembley Stadium (London)
Attendance: 81,775
Chelsea
0-0
Man CityManchester City
FT
(aet)
Man City win 4-3 on penalties

Carabao Cup final - Jorginho in focus

Carabao Cup final - Jorginho in focus
© Reuters
The Italian playmaker was on the losing side as Chelsea were beaten by Manchester City in a penalty shootout.

Jorginho is a key disciple of Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri and is integral to the Italian's footballing philosophy.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at how the Italy playmaker fared in Sunday's Carabao Cup final penalty shootout loss to Manchester City.

On-field general

Maurizio Sarri
Jorginho is key to Maurizio Sarri's possession-based system (Nigel French/PA)

Jorginho followed Sarri from Napoli to Stamford Bridge and is an imperative figure in the 60-year-old's 4-3-3, possession-based system which has earned the nickname 'Sarri-ball'. Jorginho has not been immune from Sarri's criticism this season, but he was always going to start here. He cajoled his team-mates to keep their shape, as usual, directing the defence and even instructing goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga where to distribute the ball.

Sarri scapegoat

Jorginho
Jorginho was booed by Chelsea supporters when introduced in Thursday's win over Malmo (Adam Davy/PA)

Jorginho was booed by Chelsea fans when coming on as a substitute in last Thursday's Europa League win over Malmo. He is clearly seen as the personification of Sarri-ball and is therefore the scapegoat. He tried to endear himself to the Blues faithful quickly here, fouling Sergio Aguero in the opening seconds by blocking the striker. Blues fans called on Jorginho to shoot from 25 yards twice after 32 minutes, but both times he took the option to pass. The crowd calls were more a frustration at Chelsea's lack of incision than encouragement of Jorginho, who shot wide in the first half of extra time. Jorginho took Chelsea's first penalty and his poor effort was saved by Ederson. David Luiz also missed in the 4-3 shootout defeat.

Kante conundrum unanswered

N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante continues to be deployed out of position by Maurizio Sarri to accommodate Jorginho (Nick Potts/PA)

Jorginho has made more than 2,200 passes in the Premier League without registering an assist. He has one goal this season, in the Premier League win at Huddersfield on the opening day – and that was a penalty. By half-time here, Jorginho had made just 20 passes here, a fifth of his regular output when Chelsea dominate possession. He made just 36 more in the remaining 75 minutes. Given N'Golo Kante is the world's best defensive midfielder – proved by a recent trophy haul which includes last summer's World Cup – the obvious solution appears to be a 4-2-3-1 formation. But Sarri will not try it.

Overall impact

Jorginho
Jorginho made a limited impact in Sunday's Carabao Cup final (Martin Rickett/PA)

Limited. Jorginho has shone against lesser opponents. Against a team of City's calibre he does not have the time or space to dictate play. He still is capable of telling contributions, but the main requirement on Sunday was defensive. Sarri's stubborn resistance to change means it was Jorginho, not Kante, in front of a fragile defence. And in attack Chelsea's best chances were a result of speedy transitions, so bypassed Jorginho. He was booked after 88 minutes for a blatant obstruction of Raheem Sterling, saved the fate of a dismissal by the distance from goal. A desperately poor penalty meant his contribution was more significant.

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Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in action during the EFL Cup final against Manchester City on February 24, 2019
Read Next:
5 talking points following the Carabao Cup final
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool28216164154969
2Manchester CityMan City28222475205568
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs28200855292660
4Arsenal28175660382256
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd28167555361955
6Chelsea27165647291853
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28117103535040
8Watford28117103940-140
9Everton28106123939036
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham28106123541-636
11Leicester CityLeicester28105133439-535
12Bournemouth28104143953-1434
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2887132634-831
14Crystal Palace2886143238-630
15Burnley2886143150-1930
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2776142941-1227
17Southampton2869133046-1627
18Cardiff CityCardiff2874172555-3025
19Fulham2845192663-3717
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2835201550-3514

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