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Italy players believe Jorginho is a contender for the Ballon d'Or after midfielder's stellar campaign with Chelsea and his country

Few players in the Premier League divide opinion more than Jorginho but Italy coach Roberto Mancini has no doubts about the man they call ‘the Professor’.

In three seasons at Chelsea, Jorginho has won the Europa League and the Champions League yet still not everybody is convinced.

While nobody would question the 29-year-old’s intelligence or passing ability, doubters point to his lack of pace and what they deem his safety-first approach.

He was signed under Maurizio Sarri and never entirely convinced Frank Lampard before growing in importance again for Thomas Tuchel.