Jorginho has issued a warning to Chelsea ahead of their Club World Cup final against Palmeiras.
The Brazilian-born midfielder insists Saturday’s opponents will be desperate to claim the European champions’ scalp and put South American football on top of the world.
Chelsea squeezed past Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal 1-0 yesterday after Romelu Lukaku’s first-half strike.
But Thomas Tuchel’s side will have to be much better against Brazilian giants Palmeiras here in Abu Dhabi if they want to complete the grand slam of international trophies.
After winning the Champions League and European Super Cup, Tuchel has made no secret of his determination to deliver the one major trophy Roman Abramovich is yet to get his hands on.
But it is a competition that has traditionally meant more to teams from South America and Jorginho gave an insight into its significance to Palmeiras.
“They are going to play for everything,” he said. “This is very important for a team in Brazil.
“It is the same for us, but definitely we are going to give everything in this final and we need to be prepared.
“I think probably they want to prove they are better than European teams. It is the opportunity for them to play against a team from Europe.
“For them, that’s a big thing. They are going to come for us. We need to be prepared for that.”
Chelsea’s older heads have been impressing on the squad the importance of being crowned champions of the world, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva leading those pep talks.
Hakim Ziyech echoed those thoughts, saying: “I think it is one of the biggest cups you can win club-wise. You know, you’re not coming here without winning, for example for us, the Champions League.
“That’s how we see it and if you want to achieve such a big trophy or cup, you know what is coming.
“You also know it is not for a lot of players to play for this kind of trophy. If you are here like us now there is only one thing, you want to win it.”
For Jorginho it represents the chance crown an incredible nine months that has already seen him become European champion with club and country.
The Italy international added: “It is always good to be in a final. It is another trophy and it is important for us.
“We have never won this cup. It’s important and we will give everything to bring the trophy home.”
