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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz admits shock at Jorginho’s move to Arsenal

Kai Havertz says he was shocked at Chelsea’s decision to allow Jorginho to move to Arsenal.

The Gunners chased a move for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo over the course of the January transfer window but saw two bids rejected.

During the dying embers of the month, Mikel Arteta’s side instead moved to bring Jorginho to the Emirates Stadium.

The Italian international signed an 18-month contract in north London after calling an end to a four-and-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal were thought to have tracked the 31-year-old since the summer of 2020 and paid a £12m fee to sign him.

Jorginho has since made a tangible impact at Arsenal, forcing Emi Martinez into an own goal during a last-minute win away at Aston Villa in February to keep the Gunners’ title challenge in tact.

Such was his standing at Chelsea, however, Havertz admits he could not believe Jorginho was moving to Arsenal.

“I played with Jorginho for two and a half years, he changed next to me, I loved being with him,” he told The Guardian.

“And then, he calls me one evening and says: ‘I’m gone.’ I was like: ‘What the? How is this possible?’

“This is how quick things change. It’s a human thing. You just have to accept it, it’s football.”

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