Manchester United have been linked with the signing of Jorginho who will be joining as a replacement for soon to retire Michael Carrick but does Napoli midfielder have what it takes to fulfill the widening boots?
With the Serie A outfit leading the race at the top of the table and title contenders Juventus a point behind, will the Italian want to even consider making the venture across the channel?
Despite Jorginho being a key asset to manager Maurizio Sarri’s squad, it is widely reported that the tactician is looking for younger alternatives come the season’s end and with Sampdoria’s Lucas Torreira proving to be the most likely candidate, a transfer could well be on the cards.
However, at 26-years-old the midfielder has plenty to offer and if the Red Devils were to acquire his services, he would only compliment the array of talent they already have at their disposal.
Alongside the tenacious Nemanja Matic and the ball playing ability of Paul Pogba, the trio could offer a balance in midfield not many other sides can match.
Known for his abilities to control games and break up play, he resembles the characteristics that made Carrick such a prominent name on the United team-sheet in the first place.
No other player across the top five European leagues has completed more passes (1513) than the Italian let alone boast a greater pass success rate (92%) in comparison. Stats via whoscored.
The former Verona man is widely regarded as a versatile playmaker who is adept in the challenge. Not only does Jorginho improve the club on the pitch either, he is a leader and alongside the influence of Matic, the duo can remind the players of what it means to wear the United shirt.
While United have key figures in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David de Gea, they have appeared to have let their high standards drop.
Something Carrick and others were quick to address, yet since his slow removal from the starting ranks, they have gone five years without a title win.
At Napoli, Jorginho has shown signs he is more than capable of outshining star players. Marek Hamsik and Brazilian maestro Allan are class acts, yet Jorginho remains the man that makes the league leaders tick.
Should Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho purchase him, it would hold greater context than any of his previous buys.
It would finally mean that United have a squad worthy of top spot, it would allow the departure of Marouane Fellaini who not to his own fault acts as a constant reminder of the demise the Red Devils suffered.
A mark that Mourinho’s reconstruction is complete, a side he can call his own. Every position filled with a player that has a heavyweight reputation and the skills to compete.
You thought Alexis Sanchez was the signing to take them forward but with every match winner bought, comes a match saver, a box Jorginho rightly ticks.
