Thiago Silva concedes Jorginho is going to be a huge loss for Chelsea and has suggested he will sign a new contract soon.
The Blues have undergone a dramatic turnover of players in the January window, bringing in nine new faces in a spree that exceeded £250m, with Enzo Fernandez’s arrival breaking the Premier League transfer record.
But they also lost Jorginho, who moved to table-topping London rivals Arsenal in a £12m deal after entering the last six months of his contract.
Silva is also due to be out of contract in the summer but now believes even more responsibility to remain at the club and help with their rebuild and restructuring of the squad, while he is disappointed to see Jorginho leave.
Discussing the Italian midfielder’s exit, Silva told ESPN Brasil: ‘It was for a direct competitor, but these are football things, it happens.
‘He wanted to stay in England because he has family here. There are things that we have no control over, but we have to understand the player’s side of things.’
On his contract talks, he continued: ‘We are talking about it, everything will probably happen in the next few days.
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‘My intention, and that of the club as well, is to stay together. I know that the club needs me right now.
‘I am here to be able to help, there are young players [who I can help].
‘I know that, with my experience, I can help in this process of rebuilding the club. I’m here for that and willing to do this. I know that my responsibility is very great.
‘I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, especially as we have lost one of our great leaders in the dressing room.
‘Jorginho is a guy who spoke a lot and this hole will remain, but we have to move on.
‘We didn’t expect him to leave, but it has happened. We have to make up for his absence in the best possible way.’
