Premier League 2019-20, Watford 1-2 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points

#5 Jorginho and Kovacic look born again under Lampard

Jorginho has improved massively under Frank Lampard's stewardship

The majority of the press around Frank Lampard’s Chelsea revolution has focused on the young players he’s introduced to the Blues’ first team like Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori. But it’s equally important to point out the impact that the former England midfielder has made on some of his veterans.

Last season, midfielders Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic were largely maligned under Italian boss Maurizio Sarri. Jorginho was seen as the epitome of ‘Sarri-Ball’ and his sidewards passing style drove Blues fans insane, while Kovacic seemed ineffective wherever he was deployed.

To say that that’s changed now would be an understatement.

Both men have been fantastic in 2019-20, and today’s game was no exception. Jorginho’s passing was outstanding, and the ball he played for Tammy Abraham’s opening goal might’ve been the best assist of the season thus far.

Kovacic meanwhile buzzed around the centre of the pitch like a man possessed, driving forward with the ball and slicing through Watford’s defence while also displaying a great ability to work in tight spaces.

Both men were so good that it’d almost be hard to justify dropping either for N’Golo Kante when he returns. For anyone questioning Lampard’s coaching ability, a look at the improvement in Jorginho and Kovacic should soon silence them; they were simply immense today.