Jorginho ‘could win Ballon d’Or’ as Danny Murphy backs Chelsea and Italy star to become first Premier League winner since Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United in 2008

Danny Murphy reckons Jorginho has a great chance of winning the Ballon d’Or following his historic year with Chelsea and Italy.

Jorginho has been absolutely brilliant in 2021, orchestrating Italy to a glorious triumph at Euro 2020 as well as winning the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.

Getty

Getty

Just last year, the 29-year-old’s career was going in another trajectory as he found himself frozen out by Frank Lampard before he was sacked in January.

But Tuchel’s arrival has elevated Jorginho to the very top of the game, with the German, Roberto Mancini, Maurizio Sarri and a host of other high-profile figures saying he ‘deserves’ the top individual accolade.

Murphy believes Jorginho’s trophy haul, which also includes the UEFA Super Cup, gives him a really good chance of winning the award.

If he does, he will become the first Premier League player to win it since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008, who claimed the first of his five Golden Balls under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

AFP

“Very rarely – and I can’t remember the exact figures – do midfielders beat forwards for the Ballon d’Or because goals is what people remember and love and is one of the hardest things to do in football,” Murphy told the White and Jordan show.

“I think [Luka] Modric is one of the first midfielders in a long time to win it, probably because of his success in international football.

“I think it would be unusual for a midfielder but this time with Jorginho, he probably could win it after the Euros with Italy.”