Chelsea set to welcome former Ajax boss Ten Hag's promising signing Hato
Chelsea's New Signing Jorrel Hato Highly Praised by Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag, the current head coach of Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen, has expressed his belief that Jorrel Hato can adjust quickly to the Premier League and become a successful player at Chelsea. Ten Hag, who left Ajax before Hato rose into the first-team, has highlighted Hato's versatility, excellent mentality, and all the qualities needed to develop quickly and succeed at a high level.
According to Ten Hag, Hato was one of the best, if not the best, players in the Eredivisie during the 2023-24 season. The young defender scored twice and provided six assists, starting in 30 out of 31 matches he played. His versatility was evident as he could operate at both centre-back and left-back positions, with Ten Hag suggesting Chelsea might use him in a hybrid defensive role.
Ten Hag asserts that Hato has a left-footed skill, ball comfort, and the potential to become a top modern defender. He believes that despite his young age, Hato will adapt well and quickly to Chelsea, making him a crucial player for the team this season.
Hato completed a £38.6m (€44.2m) move to Chelsea earlier this month, joining the Premier League champions at an exciting time. Chelsea's Premier League campaign begins this Sunday with a trip to Selhurst Park to face Community Shield winners Crystal Palace.
With Levi Colwill expected to be absent for much of the 2025-26 campaign due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Hato's arrival at Chelsea couldn't be more timely. Ten Hag's expectations for Hato's performance at Chelsea are very high, seeing him as a long-term asset capable of influencing Chelsea's defensive strength positively from an early stage in his Premier League career.
Hato's performances at Ajax have caught the attention of many, with only Utrecht's Souffian El Karouani providing more assists among defenders in the 2023-24 Eredivisie season than Hato. As Chelsea looks to build on their success from last season, Hato's arrival could be a significant boost to their defensive line.
Jorrel Hato's prowess in the Eredivisie, particularly his versatility as a defender, has caught Ten Hag's attention, with the coach praising his potential to thrive in the Premier League and European-leagues, specifically the Premier League at Chelsea. Confident that Hato's qualities will ensure a seamless transition, Ten Hag sees the young defender as a crucial asset for Chelsea this season, especially with Levi Colwill out due to injury.
