Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted Jorginho‘s move to Chelsea was not a blow and that he would rather have players whose “hearts were in it” at the club.
The Italian midfielder, who scored two goals and assisted another four in Serie A last season, had looked set for a move to the Etihad from Napoli this summer but changed his mind at the last minute, instead opting to link up with his old boss, Maurizio Sarri, at Chelsea.
The change of heart was similar to that of Alexis Sanchez who, in January, looked ready to make a move from Arsenal to Man City.
However, City lost out to their rivals Manchester United in the battle for the former-Barcelona man’s signature – but Guardiola held no regrets about that transfer either.
Speaking back in January (via Sky Sports), Guardiola said of the Sanchez deal: “I think he is going to go to United so congratulations to both of them.
“In the end, the players and managers decide where they want to play. Good luck.”
And, speaking at a press conference ahead of City’s Community Shield clash against Jorginho’s Chelsea on Sunday, Guardiola echoed the same sentiments this time around.
He told journalists (via Sky Sports): “Yes, we were close. But in the end Jorginho decided [to join Chelsea].
“We thought [a deal for Jorginho] was done, but at the last turn he decided to go to Chelsea. Similar to Alexis, he decided to go to United.
“I want a player who likes to come to Manchester City and he doesn’t like to come, so maybe he was a little bit late to announce that.
“But, when he decided not to come, then don’t come, good luck at Chelsea and I think English football is going to discover an exceptional holding midfielder.”
#SquawkaScout: Jorginho
• 3,197 passes
• 62 tackles won
• 50 interceptions
• 49 chances createdMeet the man addicted to passing.
pic.twitter.com/IKEWEN4sor
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 28, 2018
Despite his relaxed stance, Guardiola will be hoping to have the last laugh when City face Chelsea in this Sunday’s Community Shield curtain-raiser.
The post Pep Guardiola compares Jorginho deal to Alexis Sanchez’s Man Utd move appeared first on Squawka News.
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