Lorenzo Insigne believes Italy team mate Jorginho should be shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or award on the back of some starring displays by the Chelsea ‘professor’ at Euro 2020
- Jorginho has starred for Italy in their midfield at the European Championships
- His controlled performances have allowed them to play free-flowing football
- Lorenzo Insigne believes his Italy team-mate should be up for the Ballon d’Or
Lorenzo Insigne believes Italy team-mate Jorginho should be shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or award.
The Chelsea midfielder has put in a string of impressive displays to help his country advance to the quarter-final stage of the European Championships.
He was also a regular part of the Chelsea side that went on to win the Champions League this past season.
Lorenzo Insigne believes Italy team-mate Jorginho should be in the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or
Jorginho has produced some commanding displays to help Italy reach the quarter-finals
Insigne believes his friend’s performances should put him in the reckoning for the award.
He told a press conference: ‘We have quality players. You talked about Jorginho and it’s correct.
‘He had spent some fantastic years at Chelsea and I am proud to have him in our team.
‘I’m not the one deciding if he deserves the Ballon d’Or, but I hope he’ll be shortlisted, he deserves so, he is a great player.
‘I call him the professor and we are all happy to play with him.’
Jorginho has played in all four of the Azzurri’s games to date at Euro 2020, and his controlled performances have been vital as part of Italy’s free-flowing football that has proved successful so far this summer.
Insigne revealed that he has given his Italian team-mate and friend the nickname ‘professor’
The last time the Ballon d’Or gong was won by an Italian was Fabio Cannavaro back in 2006
In 375 minutes played, he’s had a 94% passing accuracy and recovered the ball 23 times.
Italy scored seven goals and conceded none as they romped through their group to qualify for the last-16 to play Austria.
They found it much tougher going against the Austrians, winning 2-1 in extra time with goals from substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina.
In the quarter-finals, Roberto Mancini’s side will face Belgium at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Jorginho also enjoyed success with his club winning the Champions League last month