Simon Phillips, a journalist on the Si Phillips Talks Chelsea podcast, says that Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato is much happier at Stamford Bridge now that Enzo Maresca has left. Phillips said that the 20-year-old Dutchman is really enjoying the extra chances he’s getting under new head coach Liam Rosenior, as he didn’t get a lot of playing time when Maresca was in charge in West London.
The numbers show that Hato was saw minimal playing time with Maresca, who clearly liked Marc Cucurella better as a left-back. The £37 million signing played in only 32% of the games Enzo Maresca oversaw this season. However, under Liam Rosenior, that number has jumped to 89%, and Cucurella’s injury has also helped him become a regular starter. Hato told Chelsea’s official website shortly after Rosenior was hired:
“Everyone is excited to work with the new coach and the new energy he brings. It has been a difficult time, changing managers and the last couple of games we didn’t win, but now with the new manager we have a fresh start for everyone.”
Rosenior has been very complimentary of the former Ajax player, calling his young defender “magnificent” since he took over at Stamford Bridge. This season, Hato has played 27 games for Chelsea, scoring two goals and providing one assist. His performances are finally starting to make up for the high price Chelsea paid for him last summer. The Dutchman has played twice as many games under Rosenior as under Maresca, and he has also scored goals after not scoring any under the Italian.
Chelsea will hope that Hato can keep up this impressive upward trend as the Blues try to finish the Premier League season strong. The young player has now firmly established himself as a key part of Rosenior’s growing project at Stamford Bridge.
Jorrel Hato as Chelsea Star Reveals Tactical Continuity From Maresca Era
Jorrel Hato has said that one important instruction has stayed the same at Stamford Bridge, even though Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior have very different ways of managing players and tactics. Hato told Chelsea’s official website that Maresca wanted him to switch positions and join attacks before, and the new manager has asked him to do the same. The Dutchman has embraced the hybrid role even though he has only ever played as a pure defender at Ajax.