Jorginho Visits Rio | How Saka Can Win Ballon d’Or | “I Admire Rodri"
Dec 2, 2024
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Jorginho, a skilled midfielder for Arsenal, shares his journey from Brazil to Italy and his unique football experiences. He discusses the emotional impact of Rio Ferdinand's past criticisms and praises Mikel Arteta's coaching. Insights into Bukayo Saka's potential for greatness and Jorginho's admiration for Rodri's playing style highlight the conversation. He also reflects on Champions League victories, his love for musicals, and the bond with Declan Rice, revealing a rich portrait of life on and off the pitch.
Jorginho's journey from Brazil to Italy at 15 taught him resilience and a determined mindset essential for his football career.
His transition to Arsenal has been supported by a strong team culture, emphasizing leadership and effective communication to enhance performance.
Deep dives
Jorginho's Journey from Brazil to Italy
Jorginho describes his challenging move from Brazil to Italy at the age of 15, where he faced the struggles of adapting to a new culture, language, and environment. Arriving alone and living in a monastery-like academy, he learned to fend for himself financially, earning a mere 20 euros weekly for essentials. Despite these hardships, he remained focused on his dream of becoming a professional footballer, visualizing success as the light at the end of a tunnel. This experience instilled in him a determined mindset that shaped his approach to life and career in football.
Leadership and Team Dynamics at Arsenal
Jorginho has established himself as a vocal leader at Arsenal, influencing team dynamics through his personality and humor. He emphasizes the importance of being supportive and approachable, which has fostered a welcoming environment within the squad. His transition from Chelsea to Arsenal initially gave him pause, considering the rivalry, but he quickly adapted and committed to giving his all for the new club. The mutual respect among teammates has allowed him to build strong connections, enhancing their collective performance on the pitch.
Tactical Understanding and Game Awareness
Jorginho showcases his tactical awareness as a player, often taking on a leadership role during matches to guide his teammates and ensure cohesive play. He highlights the importance of preparing thoroughly for games, with Arsenal's meticulous coaching under Mikel Arteta providing him with a clear understanding of game situations. The trust placed in him by Arteta encourages him to communicate effectively on the field, directing press and movement when necessary. This detailed preparation translates to enhanced performance, enabling him to read the game and adjust tactics fluidly during play.
Reflections on Pressure and Media Scrutiny
Navigating the pressures of professional football, Jorginho discusses how he copes with external expectations and criticisms, particularly from the media and social platforms. He remains focused on maintaining self-belief and relies on the support of his teammates to manage the negative noise surrounding performance. Dealing with personal setbacks, he emphasizes the significance of resilience and adapting to rapidly changing circumstances. Jorginho's experience also highlights the impact of social media on player perceptions and the challenges of maintaining focus amidst public scrutiny.
Jorginho comes to the pod studio to meet Rio for the first time since the pair had some beef on social media. They discuss those negative comments Rio made in 2019 about the Italian’s game and why they ‘touched’ Jorginho more than any other criticism he took at the time.
The Arsenal midfielder reveals why manager Mikel Arteta is “better than he expected”, what part of Bukayo Saka’s game can be improved to ensure he’s considered amongst the world’s elite and talks about his strong connection with midfield partner Declan Rice.
Despite being an important player for Premier League rivals Manchester City, Jorginho reveals why he admires Rodri so much and the reasons he’s so effective in a number 6 position.
Jorginho also has praise for Thomas Tuchel and details why the current England manager was able to make such a positive immediate impact at Chelsea, discusses the Champions League and European Championship victories in 2021and his love of Musicals as well as his experience of living in a monastery.