Patrick van Aanholt has revealed his contact with Chelsea’s Jorrel Hato before the season started.
Speaking to Voetbal Primeur’s Studio Oranje podcast, he insisted he thinks that the 20-year-old is “one of the better left-backs out there”.
Chelsea struggles
Jorrel Hato joined Chelsea in the summer transfer window in a €44.18m deal from Ajax after establishing himself as one of Europe’s rising talents at the Dutch club.
He came through their youth set up, playing at U17, U18 and U21 level before moving to the first team in 2023. He then went on to make 111 appearances for the Dutch giants before joining Chelsea in the summer.
Life at Stamford Bridge has not been easy, though. While he’s made 30 appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season, he’s managed just seven starts in the Premier League.
He has featured more since the turn of the year, though, starting three of Chelsea’s last four games. They, though, have conceded eight goals in those in those and lost three of them. That includes two back-to-back, 3-0 defeats. Hato has come in for criticism in those games.
Van Aanholt convinced
Patrick van Aanholt isn’t worried, though. He knows about life in the Premier League after spells with Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Leicester, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Wigan.
And he thinks highly of the Chelse defender, after speaking to him before the season started.
“I told him at the start of the season: You’re going to have to get used to the Premier League,” Voetbal Primeur report him saying.
“He got his matches, ended up on the bench, and now, after the winter break, I don’t know what he did.
“He has developed to such an extent that he has played his way into the starting lineup. I think that a fit Hato is one of the better left-backs out there.”
Chelsea future uncertain
The big question is whether Chelsea believe in the youngster. This season has hardly been one in which he’s proven to be worth the big price tag paid for him.
And there is a general sense at Stamford Bridge that they need a complete overhaul of a defence which has often flattered the receive. If that is to happen, the focus will surely be on experience rather than more youth.
Liam Rosenior has also hinted at this being the case.
Targets this summer will be more experienced, with the right profile. That could be costly for Jorrel Hato, despite Van Aanholt’s recommendation.