Next Chelsea owner has an instant£60m Eden Hazard dream to solve as Tuchel question posed
Even with the future of Chelsea hanging in the balance and the unrelenting tidal wave
of breaking news in the past three weeks, it did feel like a little while since we had
heard from Joao Santos.
For those who do not know, Santos is the agent of Jorginho.
His name has become highly familiar to Chelsea fans on Twitter, given his regular interviews
with different media outlets.
For over a year now, he has regularly opened up about Jorginho's desire to return to Italy
and Serie A.
This all came mainly within a period where his client won the Champions League, UEFA
Super Cup, the Euro's and the Club World Cup.
In addition to being named UEFA Men's Player of the Year and included in the top three
shortlist for 2021's Ballon d'Or.
Most of these quotes have caused a little commotion in the broader scheme of things.
Jorginho has remained a highly popular player.
His regular place in Thomas Tuchel's midfield has continued.
You even get murmurs that he might want to extend his current deal that runs out in 2023.
But the constant noise from Santos over Jorginho's future plans will likely pose a question to
Chelsea's next owners.
Speaking with Nicolo Schira, the agent said: "Our priority is the contract extension with
Chelsea.
If they don't offer the renewal, Jorgi's first choice will be the return to Serie A. Juventus?
The most important clubs are interested in him.
"There are many clubs interested in him.
In the past, I spoke to PSG, Barcelona and also Milan's Ricky Massara.
I don't know if the Rossoneri are still interested, though."
This sort of tone is nothing new.
Santos inferring about a potential extension at Stamford Bridge before curiously posing
a question about another club, taking care to mention Jorginho's desire to play in Italy
again.
Even if his contract expiring in 2023 might not appear as pressing for Chelsea as those
ending this summer, with only one year left on his deal, this next window realistically
is the last chance for the Blues to attract a decent fee for him.
Entering his thirties and with the potential of younger midfield options on the market,
this summer feels like an appropriate time to part ways.
The 'first choice' for Jorginho to return to Serie A could be compared to the dream
of Eden Hazard to play for Real Madrid.
For years we heard murmurs about it being a career-long goal of the Belgian to wear
the famous white of Los Blancos before the deal eventually materialised in 2019.
Even with Jorginho's role in some huge wins, the legacy of both players are different to
Chelsea fans, but the concept of selling them at the right point for a good fee can prove
invaluable if the club hopes to rebuild a vital area of the squad under new ownership.
The names of Declan Rice and Aurélien Tchouaméni have regularly been linked to the club, although
the sale from Roman Abramovich could halt either of those pursuits which such uncertainty.
Santos' consistent quotes should probably infer a great enough indication of why this
summer is a suitable time for Jorginho to depart as Chelsea could still attract an impressive
fee from a top European club like Juventus.
If not, the Blues risk repeating the contract uncertainty this season and more quotes from
Santos.