Thiago Silva insists Jorginho exit has left a hole in the squad
Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has spoke of his sadness after former midfielder Jorginho left to join Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
The Italian midfielder’s £12m move to the Premier League leaders on Tuesday sparked huge debate given Jorginho had moved to one of Chelsea’s biggest rivals.
Silva outlined his disappointment at his former colleague’s decision but insisted ‘it happens’ in football with a host of Premier League clubs striking last-minute deals for wantaway stars.
Brazilian stalwart Silva, one of Chelsea’s biggest dressing room leaders, is confident Graham Potter’s side will move on given their own huge spending, but admitted other players will have to ‘make up for his absence’.
‘It was for a direct competitor, but these are football things, it happens,’ Silva told ESPN Brasil.
‘He wanted to stay in England because he has family here. There are things that we have no control over, but we have to understand the player’s side of things.’
‘I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, especially as we have lost one of our great leaders in the dressing room,’ he added.
‘Jorginho is a guy who spoke a lot and this hole will remain, but we have to move on.
‘We didn’t expect him to leave, but it has happened. We have to make up for his absence in the best possible way,’ stated Silva.
Former vice-captain Jorginho arrived at Stamford Bridge from Napoli in 2018, signing a deal worth £50m and going on to feature 213 times for club, scoring 29 goals and register nine assists.
However, the 31-year-old has struggled for form and regular minutes under Potter- with the Blues currently sitting 10th in the Premier League table and looking out of the race for Champions League qualification.
During his time with Chelsea, he won the Champions League, a Europa League, a Super Cup and a Club World Cup.
Commenting on his decision to switch London loyalties, Jorginho said: ‘I’m very excited for this new challenge, and I just can’t wait to be on the pitch to be honest!
‘Everything has happened so fast. I was a bit surprised, but I took the opportunity of this amazing challenge.
