Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri said Jorginho should be a candidate for the Ballon d’Or ‘if he wins the European Championship’.

Jorginho has impressed with Chelsea and Italy this year, winning the Champions League at club level and helping the Azzurri to the semi-finals of EURO 2020.

Ahead of today’s match against Spain, his former coach at both Napoli and Chelsea praised the Brazilian-born midfielder.

“If he wins the European Championship, he is a candidate for the Ballon d’Or,” Sarri told SportItalia as cited by Football Italia.

“He’s a refined player and that’s why everyone doesn’t understand him.

“He makes everything seem easy, it’s his greatness. When I went to Chelsea, we managed to snatch him from Manchester City.

“At first it was hard to understand him, the fans, the journalist, now I see that he is appreciated. He was also the captain of Chelsea.”

The former Napoli coach spoke to the press for the first time since accepting the role at Lazio, as he signed a two-year deal to replace Simone Inzaghi at the Olimpico.