Jorrel Hato injured himself in the warmup against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, and in Enzo Maresca’s press conference released today, the manager was asked whether the Dutchman would be fit to play tomorrow, now that Marc Cucurella has picked up a hamstring tweak:
“I don’t think so, no, I don’t think so,” the coach replied.
We saw Malo Gusto used at left back after Cucurella’s withdrawal on Saturday, and we think we’ll see that again tomorrow, if Reece James is fit to play again after such a short turnaround.
The alternative is Gusto at right back and perhaps Josh Acheampong or Benoit Badiashile on the left.
Hato signing going from bad to worse after ill timed injuries
Jorrel Hato with a Chelsea news logo.
Jorrel Hato with a Chelsea news logo. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
This really is a let down. You sign a guy for big money knowing that Marc Cucurella needs a regular replacement who can come in and play right away.
Then you realise he’s not good enough and the manager doesn’t rate him. You end up overplaying Cucurella because you don’t trust his backup.
Then Cucurella gets injured from playing so many minutes, and now the backup you don’t trust and don’t rate isn’t even fit to come in to replace him.
What a to-do… he may well go on to be a good player for us, but this first season has not been what we needed from Hato.
In other news…
Also in the presser, Enzo Maresca was asked about his team’s ability to hold onto leads, and whether the lack of experience in his group was potentially a problem in that regard.
Our Under-18s are flying right now, and that’s in large part down to their great coach, Hassan Sulaiman. He spoke to the club’s website about the season so far.
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Enzo Maresca on the touchline against Leeds.
A flag flying at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca takes his pre-match press conference.