It’s almost time to announce the Ballon d'Or winner and despite a rocky performance over the weekend, there is still an argument for some of the Chelsea boys to win the game's biggest individual accolade.
Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta, Romelu Lukaku, and Mason Mount have all been shortlisted for the prestigious prize. Though all of these players have been worthy of winning a Ballon D'or at some point in their careers, Chelsea fans can realistically make a case for just two of them in 2021.
Going up against the likes of Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski, the two who have a good shout are Kante and Jorginho.
How many midfielders in the world share the same attributes as Jorginho?
He is a unicorn in the game of football. He is often misunderstood but once you focus and analyse the beauty of his skillset, you begin to take in just how powerful of a midfielder he is.
Where he lacks in body strength, he makes up in press resistance. Always cool, calm, and collected on the ball, never fazed by the opposition in front of him.
Dictating the midfield is not a skill that everyone can possess, but Jorginho does so in the style of a young Sergio Busquets. If not for the fake measure of prime Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the Ballon d'Or would have ended up in the hands of midfield masterminds more often.
The way Jorginho orchestrates Chelsea’s midfield is like that of a symphony. Consistently pulling the strings, initiating press, and ensuring that each pass has a purpose.
There are some flaws to his game, but what player doesn’t have a few things they need to brush up on? I say this following a Jorginho mistake less than 24 hours ago which gave a struggling Manchester United the lead against Chelsea.
Talk about bad timing! Thankfully the votes are already in for the Ballon d'Or.
If Jorginho does fail to win, N’Golo Kante, the world’s most adored footballer, has just as good of a shout.
You can turn on Messi for not doing well at his new club Paris Saint-Germain.
You can question Ronaldo for not pressing enough with Manchester United.
Heck, you can even discredit Lewandowski for playing in a league that many say is not up to a good standard.
But you cannot fault N’Golo Kante!
Kante has been the footballing world’s most loved player for such a long time. Humble in speech and true with his actions.
He is the best in the world when it comes to his role. Whether he’s sitting deep in a pivot, or he’s running around being in two places at once on the pitch, he gives 110% every single game.
That’s what makes him a Ballon d'Or contender. Nobody has done what he has been able to do and maintain the same high work-rate.
If not for the number of injuries that he has had, I would have put all of my money on Kante winning the individual prize.
His work for us in the run to Champions League glory has been shoved under the carpet due to the excellence of others around him. He continuously gave man of the match performances up and without him sweeping up loose ends, who knows where Chelsea would be?
It’s high time the world gave Chelsea players their flowers. In 2005, it could have been Frank Lampard to receive the top prize; however, he lost out to a breathtaking Ronaldinho.
I do not see any standouts this year so let’s see how the Chelsea lads do. We will find out tonight from 7:30 pm GMT.
