Chelsea didn’t really have a proper backup for Marc Cucurella last season, especially after Renato Veiga went on loan to Juventus in January, looking to play another position entirely (center back instead of left back). Though Veiga’s set to come back now, we may be looking to rectify that situation a bit differently by looking to the market, and perhaps someone like Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, as claimed by Ben Jacobs, among others.
Hato started his career as a centre back but has transitioned to a hybrid left back role recently, which would certainly fit our needs. Still only 19 years of age, he has amassed over 100 appearances already for Ajax’s senior team and has been capped six times at senior international level by the Netherlands.
Ajax, who finished second this season despite having a 9-point lead with seven games to go, are unlikely to let one of their brightest and most promising stars leave for anything less than extortionate. With a contract running through 2028, transfer fees north of €40-50m have been mooted.