Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand praised Arsenal’s’shrewd’ deadline-day signing but believes
Rio Ferdinand has warned Jorginho that he will not start for Premier League leaders Arsenal and will be replaced by a high-priced summer signing.
Jorginho completed a £12 million move to Arsenal on transfer deadline day, ending his five-year stint at Chelsea.
The Italian midfielder made over 200 appearances for Chelsea, winning the Champions League and Europa League.
He joined Arsenal on an 18-month contract, becoming Mikel Arteta’s third signing of the January transfer window after Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard.
Jorginho could make his Arsenal debut against Everton next weekend, with the Gunners currently leading the Premier League by five points.
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand praised Arsenal’s’shrewd’ deadline-day signing but believes Jorginho will not make an immediate impact at the Emirates.
In fact, Ferdinand believes Jorginho will be little more than a squad player for Arteta, and that he will be replaced in the summer when Arsenal is expected to rekindle their interest in Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice.
‘I think it’s a good signing,’ Ferdinand said on the FIVE YouTube channel when asked about Arsenal’s move for Jorginho. It strikes me as astute.
‘I’ve been known to criticise Jorginho, and to clarify, I was criticising him because the way Chelsea played when he first arrived didn’t help him.
‘There were too many large spaces around him, and he was physically exposed, with a lack of pace and dynamism. They changed the way they played with and without the ball, bringing bodies closer to him to assist him, and he became a better player as a result.
‘Whatever you think of him, he’s a great passer of the ball, especially cutting through the lines, and he keeps the ball ticking, as we saw with Italy in the Euros.
‘He’s a fine technician on the ball, and I think he’ll be a differentiator from [Thomas] Partey. He can come in and fill that gap with his experience if necessary.
‘To be honest, I don’t see him as a starter for Arsenal. Jorginho, in my opinion, is not a long-term signing. He’s a stopgap until the summer, when they’ll bring in a big midfielder.
‘However, everything I’ve heard about him as a professional has been positive. Nothing but good. He’s a leader in the locker room; he speaks up and expects high standards from his teammates.
‘I’m sure he’s excited to go because Arsenal are top of the Premier League!’
Jorginho, who played a key role in Italy’s Euro 2020 victory, will wear the number 20 shirt for Arsenal.