Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has revealed that Frank Lampard’s style of play has led to him changing his game during his second season at the club.

Under Maurizio Sarri, the Italian was asked to play shorter, sideways passes, but this campaign he has been tasked with playing longer, forward balls:

“I have changed the way I play – I try to do what the coach wants so I can adapt myself. He wants more forward play, not too much short passing, so I am trying to do that.”

“This season we are playing with more long balls, more runs, less short passing. It has changed, but the mentality is the same, pressing the other team and trying to have the control of the match.”

There is no doubt that the change in Jorginho’s game has altered how supporters see the 27-year-old as a footballer.

He became the embodiment of the slow, ponderous football that led many fans to become frustrated with Sarri during his season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

However, the vibrant, fast attacking play since Lampard’s arrival has caught the imagination of the crowd, and in turn, Jorginho’s image has also been transformed as a result.

Of course, it also helps when you have more forward-thinking players like Mason Mount and Ross Barkley beside you, and the Italian international is now part of a midfield that looks far more dangerous in the final third of the pitch.