There's a lot of talk about potential arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer, but also plenty of departures.
For the most part, those exits are expected to be squad players, like Michy Batshuayi, Emerson and various others who will hardly be missed, but the one player who stands out from the crowd is midfielder and vice-captain Jorginho.
Juventus, or rather manager Maurizio Sarri, has been linked with a move to bring Jorginho to the Allianz Stadium this summer, and a move seemed imminent as Chelsea boss Frank Lampard sat the Italian on the bench for three games straight after the restart.
His role at the base of midfield was given to the more defensive-minded N'Golo Kanté, so rumours quickly emerged suggesting Lampard saw no need for Jorginho anymore, but his performance in Sunday's 3-1 win over Manchester United showed exactly why the boss wants to keep him around.
Lampard's decision to turn to a 3-4-3 formation forced Jorginho to play in more of an advanced role. Instead of sitting at the midfield base in his famed 'regista' role, he was pushed higher into a midfield two alongside Mateo Kovačić.
It was a real gamble to line up without a defensive midfielder, but Lampard was confident that Jorginho and Kovačić could combine to form and indefatigable tandem. After all, it was that duo which tormented the Premier League towards the start of the campaign.
What Jorginho lacks in physicality, he more than made up for with determination, energy and ability to read the game. He was a constant menace throughout the match, hounding United's midfielders as soon as they came anywhere near the ball.
Bruno Fernandes endured one of his quietest games in a United shirt so far, while the rest of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team struggled with the lack of time they were given by Jorginho and Kovačić.
Not only that, but Jorginho was constantly alert to loose balls. Chelsea's centre-back trio of César Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rüdiger rarely struggled to dispossess United, and it was Jorginho who was there to hoover up the ball. As soon as it left a foot, Jorginho wanted it.
Indeed, Jorginho and Kovačić were left overflowing with confidence by their immaculate defensive work, and that, in turn, allowed their creativity to shine through. They pulled the strings and dictated the tempo of the game with terrifying ease, helping Chelsea stay on the front foot throughout.
It was that area which distinguished him from Kanté. The Frenchman's energy and positioning are what set him apart from the rest, but his ball-carrying skills are average at best. He doesn't want the ball in tight areas. He's not the man to go to when you need to pass your way through a midfield battle.
In this kind of game, which needed two ball-playing midfielders to manage United's press, Jorginho was at his best. He thrives when given just seconds to react. His intelligence and pre-planning is similar to Cesc Fàbregas, whose greatest weapon is his mind.
It's clear that Jorginho still has something to offer Chelsea. He's a midfield general who is capable of giving his team a massive advantage on both sides of the ball, and the fact that he did that against United - perhaps the Premier League's most in-form side - should not be ignored.
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Source : 90min