This year has already been an extraordinary one for Jorginho, what with three European medals on the Italian’s mantelpiece from club and national team triumphs on the continent.

In December, the man hailing from southern Brazil will celebrate a landmark birthday but, before he turns 30 five days before Christmas, he may have his hands on the most prestigious individual footballing honour of them all – the Ballon d’Or.

The ceremony takes place in a month’s time and Jorginho’s name is frequently mentioned in connection with the prize after his exploits with Chelsea and Italy. Unsurprisingly, the midfield maestro is reluctant to be drawn on the prospect, preferring instead to focus on the more immediate challenge of keeping the good vibes flowing at Stamford Bridge.

‘Everyone is really happy right now because we are in a good moment,’ he explains in the build-up to this afternoon’s trip to Newcastle United in the Premier League.

‘We’re all working really hard and looking in the same direction so we are very happy because of that. The results are just a consequence of what we are doing and of course we always want more and more.’

Now into his fourth season in SW6, Jorginho is settled in London and a firm favourite in the dressing room. In truth, his infectious personality and regular jokes made him an instant hit among his team-mates and the staff at Cobham, his growing grasp of the English language now aiding his gags and pranks.

‘It’s not something I do on purpose, it’s just who I am,’ he says of his jovial character. ‘I like always joking around and to keep laughing. We’re here working every day so it’s better to have a good time together.

‘It’s a good atmosphere at the moment. The manager created it like this with everyone here. We have a good relationship, a good connection because of the trust.’

Despite warming up in anticipation of the imminent penalty shoot-out towards the end of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Southampton, Thomas Tuchel deemed that the spot-kick specialist was not required as we sunk the Saints 4-3 from 12 yards.

It was the second game of the last four that our number five had sat out, while in the last 10 Chelsea matches he has completed 90 minutes only once, yet the Blues vice-captain is well aware that fitness must be protected at the end of a hectic year.

‘Of course everyone wants to play every single minute but we know that’s maybe not the best thing for us,’ he admits.

‘It’s not for me to say anything. Maybe I won’t play every game but it’s the coach who decides that. I just need to work and be ready for when the team needs me.’

Nevertheless, only four outfielders have played more minutes in all competitions than Jorginho this term and, if he is involved at St James’ Park today, it will be his 52nd appearance of 2021 for club and country.

The Blues are still top of the pile in the Premier League and intent on maintaining our winning momentum, though our patchy record of two victories in eight visits to the north-east, plus the new-found optimism on Tyneside, provides plenty of warning against complacency. As ever, hard work and confidence will be key ingredients.

‘It would be good to carry on like this but for that we need to keep working in the same way,’ adds Jorginho. ‘We need to stay humble and be hungry so we can have those results again.

‘Winning gives you confidence and then when you go on the pitch, you know what you need to do and the way you need to do it. When you are working really hard, you get the results, the trust of your team-mates and the staff, plus you trust yourself, so of course the confidence goes up.’