Chelsea are understood to be in the market for defensive reinforcements
Premier League heavyweights Chelsea are on the verge of securing their best league finish of the Todd Boehly era so far. The Blues have recorded 63 points from 36 matches - the exact same amount as last season - and sit in fifth position with both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest breathing down their necks to take advantage of any slip-ups in the European race.
The west London outfit also have the Conference League final against Real Betis to look forward to as Enzo Maresca looks to get his hands on his first major honour since stepping through the doors at Stamford Bridge.
Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, it seems almost inevitable that Chelsea will spend and spend big on new recruits ahead of the 2025/26 season. They’ve already kick-started business with a double move for Sporting youngsters Dario Essugo and Geovany Quenda, though they’ll have to wait at least another year to see the latter in action.
The Blues have also added Brazilian Estevao Willian and Ecuadorian Kendry Paez in the hopes of attracting the next generation of talent. They’ll join up with the squad next season, after the decision was made for the duo to hone their talents in their home countries during the 2024/25 campaign.
Chelsea’s approach under Boehly has been to spend big as was always the case under Roman Abrahmovich. However, as opposed to spending money on the biggest stars the game has to offer, Boehly’s approach has been centred on signing young talent with high potential, on long-term contracts in the hope of building a super team in years to come.
Time will tell how this approach works but it appears Chelsea are showing no signs of slowing down, with an effort to land Jorrel Hato from Ajax this summer.
Who is Chelsea target Jorell Hato?
Hato is a 19-year-old Dutch international who currently plays his football for Eredvisie title contenders Ajax. He joined the club’s academy from Sparta Rotterdam as a youngster in 2018 and made his competitive debut in 2022 at just 16 years and 335 days, making him the third youngest debutant behind Ryan Gravenberch and Clarence Seedorf.
Hato made 11 appearances in the 2022/23 season, mainly as a substitute before becoming a crucial member of the first team with 33 appearances, earning himself the status of being in the Guardian’s generational list for the best young talents of 2023.
As a teenager most footballers would be slowly integrated into the first team, but Hato not only proved himself as a regular but also emerged as a leader by becoming the team’s vice captain as the team finished in fifth position and recovered from one of their worst ever starts.
This season, Ajax are firmly in the title race, heading into the final game of the season. Hato has racked up 49 appearances this term, predominantly as a left-back and has contributed three goals and six assists. He’s already made six international appearances for Netherlands and has ambitions of being a key player at the upcoming World Cup in 2026.
Could Jorrel Hato be the dream alternative to Marc Guehi and Dean Huijsen?
Meanwhile, Marc Guehi, a Stamford Bridge academy graduate, and another centre-back target is thought to be one of Newcastle’s prime targets, with the St James’ Park club sitting slightly ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign the Crystal Palace ace, who they have held a long-standing interest in, as per reports from TEAMtalk.
Jorell Hato could be seen as an alternative in many ways due to his undoubted talents and his defensive awareness. He played 36 of his 46 games in the capital as a centre-back last season. However, it’s worth noting that Hato has since moved away from the centre of defence and has played 46 of his 49 games as a left-back this term.
The six-time international is believed to be worth an estimated £40m and could prove to be a solid competitor to the likes of Levi Colwill, the injury-hit Wesley Fofana and the rejuvenated Trevoh Chalobah, who has impressed since being recalled from his loan spell at Selhurst Park.
“Jorrel Hato is for sure in the list of Liverpool and Chelsea. Both clubs appreciate the player and have been monitoring him,” said Fabrizio Romano, via Caught Offside. It’s not an easy negotiation with Ajax, he’s a very important player for them, but he’s one of the candidates for these two clubs now they are expected to miss on their target Dean Huijsen.”
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