Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has had
a mixed season for the Blues this season but still impresses through
his statistics in comparison to Liverpool’s midfielders.
The 27-year-old followed manager Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge following the departure of former manager Antonio Conte last summer.
The Chelsea man has provided his teammates with 20 chances to score this campaign. In contrast, Georginio Wijnaldum (15), James Milner (15), Fabinho (13), Jordan Henderson (8) and Naby Keïta (5) have all contributed fewer chances created than Jorginho.
Former Liverpool player Graeme Souness has heaped criticism upon Liverpool’s midfielders, stressing that despite their qualities, they are not the players the club needs if they want them to create opportunities for the club’s attacking players.
He also took aim at their goalscoring exploits, saying: “They have a fabulous midfield and if you are playing in Liverpool’s back four that is the midfield you want, but if you are playing up front then maybe it’s not the midfield you want.
“They don’t create too much and they don’t slip clever and cute passes in and I think that’s where they are coming unstuck. Six goals from five out and out midfielders is not enough. I worry for them now. That’s another kick.”
Souness believes there are two types of midfielders; attacking or defensive, and to suggest otherwise allows players to rest on their laurels and simply aim to keep possession, rather than contribute meaningful moments of play.
“Modern midfielders get away with murder,” Souness wrote.
“They say they ‘recycle’ possession, whatever that means, but you’re either a defensive or an attacking midfielder.
“If you’re the latter, assists are OK, but do you score goals?
“Liverpool’s five midfielders have six league goals between them.
“They get away with it because of the front three they have, but it’s not enough from James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Naby Keita.”
The 27-year-old followed manager Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge following the departure of former manager Antonio Conte last summer.
Jorginho’s start to life in England: Five things you need to know…
- The Italian moved to Chelsea for a transfer fee of £50 million from Serie A side Napoli last summer.
- He has made 37 appearances for the Blues, scoring two goals.
- Jorginho took the defensive midfield place of world-class Frenchman N’Golo Kante, who has been pushed further up the pitch.
- The former Napoli man was booed off the pitch by Chelsea fans in their Europa League match against Malmo.
- He scored the match-winning goal in Chelsea’s recent 2-1 victory away to Fulham in the Premier League.
The Chelsea man has provided his teammates with 20 chances to score this campaign. In contrast, Georginio Wijnaldum (15), James Milner (15), Fabinho (13), Jordan Henderson (8) and Naby Keïta (5) have all contributed fewer chances created than Jorginho.
Former Liverpool player Graeme Souness has heaped criticism upon Liverpool’s midfielders, stressing that despite their qualities, they are not the players the club needs if they want them to create opportunities for the club’s attacking players.
He also took aim at their goalscoring exploits, saying: “They have a fabulous midfield and if you are playing in Liverpool’s back four that is the midfield you want, but if you are playing up front then maybe it’s not the midfield you want.
“They don’t create too much and they don’t slip clever and cute passes in and I think that’s where they are coming unstuck. Six goals from five out and out midfielders is not enough. I worry for them now. That’s another kick.”
“They get away with murder”
Prior to Liverpool’s 0-0 draw away to Merseyside rivals Everton, Souness wrote about the confusing labels midfielders get stuck with in the modern game.Souness believes there are two types of midfielders; attacking or defensive, and to suggest otherwise allows players to rest on their laurels and simply aim to keep possession, rather than contribute meaningful moments of play.
“Modern midfielders get away with murder,” Souness wrote.
“They say they ‘recycle’ possession, whatever that means, but you’re either a defensive or an attacking midfielder.
“If you’re the latter, assists are OK, but do you score goals?
“Liverpool’s five midfielders have six league goals between them.
“They get away with it because of the front three they have, but it’s not enough from James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Naby Keita.”
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