Latest news with #JorrelHato
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Jorrel Hato, 19, is Dutch wonderkid that Chelsea are backing to be next Van Dijk rather than new Matthijs de Ligt
CHELSEA believe Jorrel Hato will be more like the next Virgil van Dijk than the new Matthijs De Ligt. When young Ajax star Hato replaced Van Dijk at half time in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar in November 2023, he became - at just 17 years, eight months and 14 days - the second youngest player to represent the Netherlands since 1931. 6 6 6 The youngest remains De Ligt, another Ajax wonderkid who had a month less on the clock when he made his Dutch debut in 2017. But De Ligt has had tough times since his big-money switch from Juventus to Manchester United in 2024. And it is not only Chelsea who think Hato, now 19, is better equipped to match Liverpool captain Van Dijk's levels of performance and impact in the Premier League. He has made no secret of modelling his game from a young age on Van Dijk's, although he spent most of last season playing as a left-back rather than a centre-back. Even in the tradition of Ajax producing fabulous young players that goes back more than 50 years, Hato looks like something special. Only Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch and the legendary Clarence Seedorf made league debuts for the club at a younger age than Hato - all three were just 16. But while the other two were part of Ajax sides that ruled Europe or at least Holland, Hato has thrived in relative adversity. Seedorf was in the fabled team that won the Champions League in 1995 before going on to lift it again with Real Madrid and AC Milan. Gravenberch won three Dutch titles in four years under Erik ten Hag then moved to Bayern Munich. But Hato emerged at a time when Ajax were having their worst season for 35 years. Drake hints Cole Palmer is inspiration behind his new album name as he shares brilliant video of Chelsea star After being promoted to the first team and making his debut in 2022/23, he became a regular the following year when still only 17. In November of the campaign, he beat De Ligt's record to become Ajax's youngest ever captain and went on to play almost every minute of the season. The Amsterdam side's fifth-placed finish was their lowest since 1990, but Hato was a shining light. Last season Ajax suffered a different kind of heartbreak as they let slip a lead at the top of the table and ended a point behind PSV. But Hato was named the best young player in the Eredivisie. Liverpool's Dutch trio of Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Gravenberch all reacted to his post on social media celebrating the achievement. The Reds have been following Hato for some time, which makes it all the more surprising that they have allowed him to slip through their hands. Arsenal, too, were big fans. When Hato broke into the first team, Jurrien Timber was his mentor before leaving for the Gunners in the summer of 2023. Hato has Timber's versatility, as well as his calmness and ability on the ball. 6 6 But last summer Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori, another defender capable of playing at both left-back and left centre-back. With Liverpool and Arsenal prioritising attacking recruits this summer, Chelsea have swept in to sign one of the biggest young talents in European football. It will be a wrench for Hato to leave Ajax. His younger brother Elgyn is part of the academy and plays in the same under-14 team as Lennox Heitinga, son of Ajax boss Johnny. But he was adamant that he wanted to join Chelsea once the world champions made their move, asking to be left out of a friendly against Como as the saga unfolded. After his experience playing at left-back, Hato may find himself deputising for, or challenging Marc Cucurella in that role. But in the longer term, he is likely to be a more central figure, one that Chelsea hope will turn out to be their version of two-time Premier League winner Van Dijk. 6
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Why Chelsea are signing Hato
Chelsea have agreed a £37m deal to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, subject to clearance by the Dutch club's supervisory board – and it is a signing that makes sense for the dynamics of Chelsea's bloated Blues boast seven centre-backs in their current squad but only Levi Colwill, who played regularly last season, and Benoit Badiashile are naturally left-sided. Badiashile's 2024-25 campaign was disrupted by a hamstring injury in December while just three Premier League starts suggests head coach Enzo Maresca wants a different option to compete with Colwill in the heart of brings versatility having spent large parts of last season at Ajax playing at left-back and, with Ben Chilwell firmly out of favour, the 19-year-old can also offer competition to regular left-back Marc Cucurella given the Champions League campaign to 2023-24, Hato played 80% of his football at centre-back, most commonly in a 4-2-3-1 formation. However, last season, new head coach Francesco Farioli deployed him at left-back for 94% of his minutes, as part of a 4-3-3 has already played 111 competitive games for Ajax's first team, after making his debut aged just 16 years and 335 days in 2023. That made him the third-youngest player to feature for the club in Eredivisie after Clarence Seedorf and Ryan Gravenberch. He also won his first Netherlands cap less than a year that first appearance, Hato has been nearly ever-present for Ajax. Of players from Europe's top six leagues born after 1 January 2003, Hato has played the most minutes at club level in all competitions since the start of 2023-24 (8,347), ahead of Jude Bellingham (7,988) and Lamine Yamal (7,506).
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Eze ‘keen on Gunners move', Trossard ‘wanted by two Prem clubs', Saliba contract update
Chelsea agree Hato deal Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Jorrel Hato from Ajax for £37million. The Blues have held long-term interest in the Netherlands international, 19, who will sign a seven-year-deal. Hato can play at both left-back and centre-back and is thought to be primarily considered as cover and competition for Marc Cucurella. The defender has been a target for Arsenal and Liverpool in the past. Hato is set to travel for a medical after being given permission to travel to London and complete the move.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chelsea agree deal with Ajax for £37 million Jorrel Hato
Chelsea have secured an agreement with Ajax for the signing of 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato for an initial fee of £37 million. The highly-rated prospect is set to sign a seven-year deal lasting until 2032, and will travel to London to undergo his medical, as reported by BBC sport. Hato, who has played both as a left-back and central defender, made his debut for Ajax at just 16 years and 335 days old, making him the third-youngest player in club history to feature in an Eredivisie match. Over the past two years, he has made 75 appearances for the club and earned a senior cap for the Netherlands in 2023. Chelsea sees him as a promising addition to their defensive options, providing competition and depth. 🚨🔵 Jorrel Hato has been authorized to travel to London for medical tests and then he will sign 7 year deal at Chelsea. Fee worth €43m plus sell-on clause. 🇳🇱 — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 30, 2025 Ajax's decision to part ways with Hato comes amid financial pressures and the club's return to the Champions League after a two-year absence. The sale of Hato is part of a wider effort to raise funds. Hato becomes Chelsea's eighth signing this summer, following a major overhaul of the squad. The club has spent over £250 million in the current transfer window, balanced by over £150 million in player sales. Chelsea's summer signings: Jamie Gittens - £48m from Borussia Dortmund Joao Pedro - £55m from Brighton Liam Delap - £30m from Ipswich Town Mamadou Sarr - £12m from Lyon Dario Essugo - £18m from Sporting CP Estevao Willian - £29m from Palmeiras Kendry Paez - £17m from Independiente del Valle While Chelsea's transfer business for this window is nearing completion, the club is still looking to offload some players. Christopher Nkunku is expected to leave, and striker Nicolas Jackson could be sold if the right offer arrives. A number of first-team players, including Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Armando Broja, and Lesley Ugochukwu, are training separately from the main squad.
Business Upturn
a day ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
New defender for Maresca's Blues as Ajax accepts contract terms
Chelsea are all set to sign a new defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax on around a €40 million deal. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on July 31, 2025, 08:23 IST Chelsea are all set to sign a new defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax on around a €40 million deal. The blues were behind the centre-back since long and finally the agreement has been reached with the club. The blues will welcome the defender soon and once the medical is done, the deal will be announced. Chelsea are set to bolster their backline with the signing of Ajax's highly-rated centre-back Jorrel Hato for a fee of around €40 million. The Blues have been monitoring the 18-year-old talent for months and have now reached an agreement with the Dutch club. Hato, known for his composure on the ball and defensive intelligence, is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in Europe. Chelsea's pursuit of the Ajax captain signals their intent to invest in youth while strengthening their defensive options. The deal is expected to be finalized soon, with Hato scheduled to undergo a medical before the official announcement. Once completed, he will become Chelsea's latest addition as they continue their squad rebuild under the new project. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
