Newcastle have been linked with trying to sign Jorginho from Chelsea, but a new report has explained why he will not be on his way to St James’ Park.
The Magpies are currently on the lookout for a midfielder, and their need has intensified following the news about Jonjo Shelvey.
After just returning from injury, he is now set for another spell on the sidelines. The 30-year-old has picked up a calf problem, and will be out for six to eight weeks.
That is why Eddie Howe is now even more keen to bring in a midfielder. And the Daily Mail recently claimed that Jorginho is a target.
They first stated on Boxing Day that the 31-year-old is now Howe’s ‘prime target’ heading into the January transfer window. Then a fresh report from the same publication claimed something completely different, stating that Newcastle would target him on a free transfer in the summer when his Chelsea contract expires.
Neither story sounded incredibly likely, and they were even more questionable given they both came from the same outlet. Now the Telegraph has provided a more realistic update on the ‘Jorginho to Newcastle’ story.
Why Newcastle will not sign Jorginho
According to the Telegraph, Newcastle do not have any interest in the Italy international. They state that club sources have denied links with Jorginho, listing two reasons why he is not a target for Howe.
The first reason provided by the Telegraph is his mobility. They state that Chelsea’s number five is not mobile enough to operate in Howe’s midfield system. The second reasons is money, with the Telegraph adding that his wage demands would be far too high for the Magpies to consider.
Those reasons are exactly why talk of a move to St James’ Park for Jorginho seemed fanciful, and that has proven to be the case. And it is exactly the right decision.
There is no doubting that Jorginho is an excellent player. He is a wonderful passer of the ball, and can link the defence to the attack with his glorious range and vision. In the eyes of Paul Merson, Jorginho is ‘very underrated‘.
A strong argument could be made for that to be the case, but it does not mean he would be a good fit on Tyneside.
Howe’s Newcastle side are all about intensity, and that is even more important in midfield. The likes of Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton have incredible engines that enable them to get around the pitch and press. It is a big reason why Howe’s team have done so well this season.
But it is difficult to see Jorginho fulfilling that role. Combine that with his large wage demands and a move to Newcastle made no sense. Luckily, it appears that the club are thinking along the same lines.