Jorginho doesn't even speak English fluently but his adaptation to English football has been as smooth as can be.
He was heavily courted by Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in the summer but elected to join Chelsea from Napoli along with Maurizio Sarri, with his £57 million transfer announced on the same day the Blues confirmed their new manager.
Advert
The arrival of Sarri was a key factor in him making the switch to Stamford Bridge - and given he knows the 59-year old's methods inside and out, he's in a good place to judge on how the players have adapted to his philosophy.
"Of course he had a real influence on my decision," Jorginho told SPORTbible in an exclusive interview at Chelsea's Cobham training complex.
"Chelsea is a team that has so much to offer and it was always easy to come here but obviously Maurizio Sarri played a big part.
Advert
"He's a very straightforward man who likes to work a lot on the pitch, working on the tactical side and the organisation of the team.
"The transition was actually quite easy because all the players at Chelsea play at such a high level that they are open to new ideas and so they are open to putting into practice what Sarri preaches."
As we head into the international break, Chelsea have taken 20 points from eight games and their unbeaten record sees them only behind reigning Champions Manchester City on goal difference.
It's all the more impressive when you consider the players have had to shift to a whole new system and way of playing from the approach previous manager Antonio Conte opted for.
Advert
Jorginho, the midfield metronome, has been instrumental in the Blues' sparkling 'Sarri-ball', breaking all sorts of Premier League passing records. Very rarely does a Chelsea attack not go through him, as he conducts the play and breaks the lines.
He is so comfortable on the ball and never looks in a rush even when he's been pressured by the opposition - a trait he's had from being young.
"It's the way I've always played," the Italy international added.
Advert
"I've always wanted the ball, playing one-two's and quick, short passes. Not only do I think that's always been a characteristic part of play, I think it's one of the reasons why it goes so well with Sarri's football."
Upon his arrival in the capital, Jorginho shared a touching video of his mother, Maria, in floods of tears at seeing his shirt hung up in the Chelsea club shop.
He uploaded the wonderful clip, accompanied with the words: "When you realise that every effort was worth it and it wasn't just a dream."
His mother played an integral role in his footballing upbringing and he will forever be indebted to her.
Advert
"It was just a fantastic moment," Jorginho says of the video.
"I'll never forget seeing that video and seeing her crying; I've watched it many times since and I'm never going to get tired of watching it. The relationship I have with her is amazing and she loves her football. She's so happy and proud that I'm here but she has to realise it's thanks to her that I am here."
Jorginho isn't merely talking about his mother lending support and making sacrifices for her son - she actually taught him how to play football on the beach and helped mould him into the player he is today.
He has posted several clips of the two of them playing 'keepie uppies' together and she looks like she could also play in midfield for Chelsea.
"Yeah she's better," Jorginho joked with a smile on his face when asked if she has a better first-touch.
Watching Jorginho strut his stuff, it's easy to see why Andrea Pirlo and Xavi Hernandez, two legends of the game, were his two footballing idols growing up.
But while he shares similarities with the way they play, his penalty-taking style is as unique as they come.
It's nonchalance personified and we've already seen him take Huddersfield's Ben Hamer for a mug on his Premier League debut when he casually rolled the ball in.
"It's about three years ago in training, we were mucking around with other players taking penalties and I thought to myself, 'I'm going to do it like this'," the 26-year old revealed when quizzed on how he adopted such a cool approach from the spot.
"I got confidence taking penalties and it all started from there."
Eden Hazard, Willian and Jorginho were appearing as part of William Hill's continued, proud partnership with Chelsea. The Blues can be backed to win the Premier League at 9/1.
Topics: Football News, Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea, Football, Premier League, Napoli, Italy
