After missing out on Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Chelsea will have to sign someone else now to strengthen their central defence.
That someone else could be Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, who is being heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
It is being reported that Chelsea are targeting Hato, with the Dutchman the perfect profile of player for the club.
The Blues’ transfer policy is to sign young footballers with a lot of potential, and 19-year-old Hato meets the criteria.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Chelsea like Jorrel Hato’s versatility
Hato’s age is not the only reason why Chelsea are keen on the Ajax man, though. His versatility has also caught the club’s attention.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has shared on X that Hato’s ability to play at left-back and in central defence really appeals to Chelsea.
Chelsea have also been linked with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. Last month, it had been claimed that Chelsea had made an approach for Branthwaite.
However, according to Jacobs, the Blues are not expected to make an offer for the 22-year-old in the summer transfer window.
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Hato always seemed like a more likely deal, as it is thought that Everton want Wesley Fofana money for Branthwaite. Chelsea signed Fofana from Leicester City for a fee of £70m back in 2022.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Number of games Jorrel Hato has played as a left-back and centre-back
Hato has certainly proven that he can play at left-back as well as at centre-back during his time in Amsterdam.
Last season, the £40m-rated Netherlands international was mostly used on the left. But in his career so far, he has still played 70 games in central defence.
Positions Jorrel Hato has played Number of games
Left-back 88
Centre-back 70
Left midfielder 1
Central midfielder 1
Via Transfermarkt
Hato’s ability to play at left-back could prove very useful to Enzo Maresca if Chelsea do go on to sign him.
The Chelsea manager had no cover for Marc Cucurella during the second half of the 2024/25 season, with both Renato Veiga and Ben Chilwell leaving the club on loan. If they are not staying at Stamford Bridge, then a new left-back will be needed.