Emmanuel Petit has challenged Maurizio Sarri’s decision to utilise N’Golo Kante out of the French midfielder’s favoured position while also claiming Jorginho “isn’t the right fit for the Premier League”.
One of the recurring questions regarding Sarri’s reign as Blues manager so far has centred around Kante, who has been moved to the right side of a midfield three instead of his usual position at the base of a midfield three. In his place came summer signing Jorginho, who followed his former manager at Napoli to west London in order to facilitate Chelsea’s transition into Sarri-ball.
While the Brazil-born Italy international started brightly, he has been subject to criticism in recent matches, with Chelsea fans questioning his ability to provide the final pass. Many pundits have also shared this view, before adding that Kante should be installed back in front of the defence – a position where, in previous seasons, he had established the standard with which every defensive midfielder in the game should adhere to.
Former Chelsea midfielder Petit agrees with such opinion while also adding the World Cup-winning midfielder may be relishing the challenge of playing in a different role but insists he is too polite to ask otherwise. “Sarri’s decision to move Kante away from his original position, where he was probably the best in the world over the past two or three years, surprised me,” said the 48-year-old former midfielder.
“Kante says he’s learning and taking pleasure in this new position. He doesn’t want to make waves – we all know in France how humble Kante is, so he will never cause trouble. But can anyone explain why you move Kante out of his best position in favour of Jorginho?”
Petit, who donned the Chelsea shirt from 2001-2004, went on to question the Blues’ decision to sign Jorginho, who is yet to register an assist in the Premier League despite having made the most passes so far this season.
“I’d never heard of Jorginho before he went to Chelsea, and I’ve nothing against him, but he isn’t the right fit for the Premier League,” added Petit. “When you have players who play so well in a certain position, why would you move them somewhere else?”
