Ajax Defender Wants To Join Chelsea This Summer: What Will He Add To Maresca’s Side? | OneFootball

In a recent post on X, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano mentioned that Ajax defender Jorrel Hato wants to join Chelsea this summer. It has been revealed that the Blues have agreed on personal terms with the Dutch left-back this off-season.

Hato’s Impressive Rise In Dutch Football

Hato had a solid campaign at the Dutch club after he produced a series of impressive displays on the left side of their backline. The 19-year-old scored three goals and grabbed six assists in 50 appearances for Ajax last season on all fronts.

The Dutch talent performed his defensive duties well as he made 58 tackles, 35 blocks and 22 interceptions in the Dutch Eredivisie. He was even tidy when distributing possession from the back based on his pass success rate of 89.4% in league football (stats via fbref.com).

His current contract at the Dutch club will expire in the summer of 2028 which could make it difficult for Chelsea to snap him up on the cheap in this transfer window.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 16: Jorrel Hato of Netherlands in action during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Netherlands and Hungary at on November 16, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

What Will Hato Add To Chelsea Boss Enzo Maresca’s Side?

Hato is a tough-tackling full-back who can read the danger well and can secure the ball back for his team on the defensive end of the field. He usually clears his lines when required and can even set up a few promising chances for his teammates from the left flank.

The Dutch whizkid can even chip in by scoring the odd goal going forward. He is primarily a left-back but can also serve as a central defender if told to do so. However, Hato is still quite inexperienced at the highest level and would need time to adapt to the physical side and high intensity of the Premier League.

We can expect Hato to add more quality to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca’s defence. He has what it takes to compete for regular first-team football at Stamford Bridge. The Dutch talent might even help the Blues challenge for some major honours over the next decade.

At 19, Hato has the potential to be a future star in European football. Therefore, the West London club should focus on going all out to bring him on board as long as they can get him for a reasonable fee before the end of this transfer window.