David Ornstein: Chelsea set to sign defender in £34.8m move | OneFootball

Chelsea Close in on Jorrel Hato: Bold Investment or Brilliant Vision?

Bright Spark from Amsterdam

Chelsea are edging towards the signing of 19-year-old Jorrel Hato from Ajax, with talks nearing a compromise over a fee in excess of €40 million (£34.8m). David Ornstein from The Athletic reports that Personal terms are already agreed for the Dutch international, whose reputation has been steadily rising across Europe after two standout seasons in the Eredivisie.

The London club opened talks with Ajax earlier this month, and while Arsenal had shown strong interest in the player back in January 2024, Chelsea have made the decisive move. That prior attention only underlines how hot a commodity Hato has become.

Photo: IMAGO

A Leader Beyond His Years

“From last September: The Netherlands defender is trying to return his club to the top of the Eredivisie, attracting big-club attention along the way.”

Hato has already made 111 senior appearances and captained Ajax during a turbulent period for the Dutch giants. While he primarily operated as a left-back during the 2024-25 campaign, he is also a composed and reliable presence at centre-back.

His senior international caps for the Netherlands now number six, a testament to his rapid rise since making his Ajax debut in January 2023. He first joined their academy from Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 and is a product of one of Europe’s most esteemed youth systems.

Chelsea’s Transfer Revolution

This is a summer of dramatic overhaul at Stamford Bridge. The arrivals of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens have been matched by earlier agreements for Estevao, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, and Kendry Paez. Out go Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, and Djordje Petrovic, as the club continues its aggressive talent regeneration strategy.

In this context, Hato fits perfectly. He is technically sharp, calm under pressure, and has a pass completion rate of 89 per cent among Eredivisie full-backs last season, only bettered by PSV’s Richy Ledezma.

“He is used to being in a ball-dominant side and he is not afraid to be adventurous with the ball at his feet both through dribbling or using his passing range.”

One for Today, Not Just Tomorrow

At 19, Hato is still growing into his frame. He is a good reader of the game and solid in one-on-one duels, though his aerial game remains a work in progress. Still, his positional versatility and intelligence mark him out as a signing for both the present and future.

Credit must go to David Ornstein of The Athletic for reporting this story in such rich detail.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Jorrel Hato? Yes, please. This move screams long-term thinking with short-term potential, and it feels like the type of intelligent, forward-facing business fans have been crying out for since the churn began post-Abramovich.

To get a 19-year-old who has captained Ajax and made over 100 appearances already feels like a coup, especially with Arsenal sniffing around in January. “I want to achieve big things” is the kind of statement you want to hear from a young defender, and with his Eredivisie pedigree, it feels like he’s got the mindset to handle the pressure at Stamford Bridge.

Let’s be honest, our back line needed this. Chilwell’s fitness, Badiashile’s inconsistency, and the tactical holes we’ve seen in transition demand a more composed and technical left-sided option. Hato isn’t just a youth project, he’s someone who can challenge for starts immediately.

The only concern? That aerial weakness. The Premier League is a different beast, especially when you go away to places like Turf Moor or Bramall Lane. But if he can build that physical side while keeping the same poise on the ball, we might just have a future leader on our hands.

Overall, it feels like a gamble worth making. And let’s be honest, £34.8 million for a player like this in 2025 feels more like smart business than a splurge.