Jorginho reveals role in Osimhen joining Napoli and why he joined Arsenal

Brazil-born Italy international Jorginho reveals Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli called him before signing Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen.

The former Napoli and Chelsea midfielder spoke to DAZN on Monday night. He started by discussing the difference between Serie A and Premier League.

“There is a difference and you can see it in games. In Premier League, you have to fight until the end, also against the last in the table, every game is tough,” he said.

The Gunners’ city rivals Tottenham will host Milan in North London in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on March 8 after losing the first leg in Milan 1-0 last week. When asked about the rivalry between Arsenal and Spurs, Jorginho replied smiling: “Forza Milan.”

“The matches with Tottenham are those Arsenal fans look forward to the most. I am sure they will all support Milan.”

Jorginho’s former club Napoli will face Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Partenopei have won 20 games from 23 in Serie A and are 15 points above second-placed Inter. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen are in the spotlight, having combined 31 goals across all competitions this season.

“They are doing incredible things, honestly, I didn’t know the guy playing on the wing [ Kvaratskhelia],” admitted Jorginho.

“I knew Osimhen. I had played against him in Champions League and he had given a hard time to our defenders. Giuntoli called me before signing him and I told him to sign him straight away, he is very promising and is doing really well. They [Osimhen and Kvara] are flying and everything is going well. There is winning energy.”

Is this Napoli side better than Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho’s Napoli?

“Nice question, I don’t know, but I am sure we had fun that season and we made many people have fun watching football. It will hurt forever. Napoli is in my heart, I have many friends there.”

Jorginho was part of the Napoli side that earned 91 points in 2017-18, but failed to win the title, seeing Juventus crowned Italian champions with 95 points. Jorginho concluded by analysing a similarity between Napoli and Arsenal this season.

“Nobody would gamble on these teams at the start of the season and now we are at the top. For us [Arsenal], I think it will be a little more complicated.”

In the end, his former Hellas Verona teammate Luca Toni, one of DANZ’s pundits, asked Joginho who is the best striker he’s played with, aside from Toni, of course.

“I think Gonzalo [Higuain]. The way he kicked the ball.. he knew where the goalkeeper was without even watching. He was one of the best I’ve played with. Along with Luca.”

Jorginho also said he left Chelsea because he was no longer part of their plans, so he joined the Gunners ‘in less than 48 hours.’

“It’s one of the reasons, surely,” he confirmed to DAZN on Monday.

“He called me and it was all very quick, we made the deal in less than 48 hours. I had spoken to Chelsea and I knew I was no longer part of their plans. I wanted to progress in my career and the Arsenal project suits me.

“It’s a young team that plays good football and fits my characteristics. I considered every scenario and made the decision. Sometimes you must accept when you are out of a project and that things come to an end.”