Chelsea Football Club’s Pursuit of Jorrel Hato
Chelsea Football Club is making significant strides toward acquiring Jorrel Hato from Ajax, though the two sides have yet to finalize a formal agreement. Negotiations are progressing, and both clubs anticipate reaching a consensus on a fee exceeding €40 million (£34.8 million; $46.7 million) in the near future. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old defender, who is an international player for the Netherlands, has already settled on personal terms with Chelsea.
Background and Player Profile
Initial talks with Ajax began earlier this month, as Chelsea seeks to bolster their defense. This acquisition comes against the backdrop of Arsenal’s interest in Hato, who the Gunners had previously targeted in January 2024, before he opted to extend his contract with Ajax for five years last summer.
Hato has established himself at Ajax, recording 111 appearances for the first team and even taking on the captaincy role. Primarily playing as a left-sided center-back, he is also versatile enough to perform at left-back. His track record includes six caps for the Netherlands national team, further solidifying his status as a rising star. Since joining Ajax’s youth setup from Sparta Rotterdam in 2018, Hato has been a key figure in the squad since making his senior debut in January 2023.
Chelsea’s Summer Recruitment
Chelsea’s recruitment this summer has been quite active, with the club already bringing in players like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens. They have also completed transfers in accordance with agreements made previously for talents including Estevao, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, and Kendry Paez. Conversely, the team has seen notable departures, with players such as Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, and Djordje Petrovic leaving Stamford Bridge permanently.
Hato’s Skills and Potential
Hato stands out among Europe’s most promising defensive talents, having played prominently for Ajax over the past two seasons. He is recognized for his technical skills and composure on the ball, excelling in teams that prioritize ball possession. His passing accuracy is noteworthy; last season, he achieved an impressive 89 percent completion rate, the second highest among full-backs in the Eredivisie, just behind PSV Eindhoven’s Richy Ledezma.
Although still maturing physically, he is already considered good defensively, possessing solid one-on-one capabilities and a keen understanding of the game, with areas for further development—most notably in aerial challenges.
