Chelsea defender Levi Colwill handed Enzo Maresca a huge conundrum before the season even started.
Colwill sustained an ACL injury earlier this month that will keep him on the sidelines for most of the campaign.
With the 22-year-old unavailable, Maresca wants a new centre-back, but Chelsea are yet to sign one and are unlikely to do so by the looks of things.
In Colwill‘s absence last Sunday when the Blues took on Crystal Palace, Josh Acheampong was handed the England international’s role. However, he is not the only player at Stamford Bridge who is viewed as an option to fill in for Colwill.
Robert Sanchez and Levi Colwill of Chelsea clear from Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Chelsea think Jorrel Hato can solve Levi Colwill problem
Jorrel Hato was brought in to play at left-back and did not feature in Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Palace.
According to the Evening Standard, though, the Chelsea hierarchy have faith in Maresca to utilise the Dutchman and others in Colwill’s position.
Tosin Adarabioyo is also another option and probably would have started last Sunday had he not picked up an injury himself.
Adarabioyo could be back soon, however, in a major boost to Maresca. Still, Chelsea’s next game may come too early for him, meaning that Maresca will have to stick with Acheampong or consider using Hato.
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Former Chelsea player Winston Bogarde believes Hato belongs in central defence, but whether the 19-year-old can fulfil the duties of a central centre-back in Maresca’s system remains to be seen.
Chelsea paid Ajax £37m to sign the Netherlands international, whose main job this season will be to cover Marc Cucurella.
Jorrel Hato playing for Chelsea against Bayer Leverkusen in a pre-season friendly.
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Jorrel Hato’s last game at centre-back
Despite playing predominantly as a left-back last season, Hato is also capable of starting in central defence. In fact, that is where the Dutchman played in Ajax’s final game.
He helped them to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win against FC Twente and did not do much wrong on the day.
Hato was very good in possession, registering a 95% pass success rate. Bearing that in mind, perhaps he could end up being ideal for Maresca’s central defence.
Jorrel Hato vs FC Twente Total
Minutes 90
Clearances 1
Interceptions 2
Total tackles 1
Dribbled past 0
Touches 84
Accurate passes 74/78 (95%)
Via Sofascore
With Chelsea in no rush to bring in a new centre-half to replace Colwill, Maresca is going to have to put his trust in Hato and the other internal options that he currently has.