Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has warned his team-mates that they must not let their status as reigning European champions and Premier League leaders distract them in this season's title race.
The Blues are clearly in a good spot right now, sitting pretty at the top of the standings after Saturday's 7-0 mauling of Norwich City kept them one point ahead of Liverpool and two clear of Man City.
Despite the wave of positivity at Stamford Bridge, Jorginho made sure to remind his team-mates that Chelsea will not be handed anything just because of their impressive early season form.
"We need to keep working the same way we are doing, otherwise that's not going to happen," Jorginho told Sky Sports of the team's title chances. "We need to stay humble and be hungry.
"We are in a good moment now, everyone is working really hard and looking in the same direction. We're very happy because of that, and the result [against Norwich] was just a consequence of what we are doing."
After a tough run of fixtures to start the season, Chelsea will hope to extend their lead at the top of the table with victories against Newcastle United, Burnley and Leicester City in their next three games, while there's also one eye on the meeting with Manchester United at the end of November.
As for Jorginho, he's clearly targeting team success but could be just a few weeks away from claiming individual glory at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, where he is expected to be among the favourites to take home the prize.
“It’s hard to keep it out [thoughts about the Ballon d’Or] because there’s a lot going on about it and a lot of people saying these things, which I appreciate a lot,” he told The Telegraph recently. “But I try to not think that much because then I lose focus on other important things we are fighting for. I just try to wait and see what’s going to happen.”
“Without the team, the individual trophies wouldn’t come. So, how can I put the individual in front of the team? I can’t because without the team, it would not be possible, never, ever for this to happen. So, the team prizes are more important, of course.”
Source : 90min