Club world cup: Chelsea midfielder speaks on his connection with Palmeiras

Chelsea will return to action on Saturday when they go head to head against Brazilian side Palmeiras in the final of the FIFA Club world cup

Ahead of the match, Chelsea midfielder and Italy international Jorginho has revealed he has a score to settle with Palmeiras.

This comes as Jorginho revealed that the Brazilian club refused to sign him when he was 12 years.

Jorginho, although an Italian, was born in Brazil and had a part of his childhood in the South American country

“Let me tell me something not a lot of people know. The connection I have with Palmeiras is that I trialled for the team when I was 12 years old, and I didn’t make the team,’ he explained. ‘So, honestly, that’s the only memory of Palmeiras that I have.

That’s what football is about. We are here about 18 years later to compete in a Club World Cup final against Palmeiras. It’s crazy, but it’s also why football is so beautiful. Everything happens for a reason, so perhaps it was better this way.’

Jorginho also admitted that rejection was tough to take at such a young age, but he will take some motivation from the childhood disappointment onto the pitch in this final.

‘I think it’s only natural for any human being to have that, it’s no different for me. Anything I can seek to give me motivation and to help me find the energy to fight, that’s what I’ll do.’