Jorrel Hato breaks silence on Chelsea transfer interest as Enzo Maresca handed significant blow

Jorrel Hato has hinted he is not in any rush to leave Ajax despite interest from Chelsea in signing the young defender.

There have been tentative enquiries from Chelsea’s side regarding Hato, with the Blues contacting Ajax over a possible move for the defender. While nothing is advanced at of the time of writing, there is a genuine interest in the Netherlands international.

The 19-year-old is the subject of interest from a number of clubs, with Arsenal also reportedly keen, but it appears he is not thinking about leaving Ajax this summer. The Amsterdam-based club have a stellar reputation for developing young players and Hato believes he is in the perfect place to continue improving his all-round game.

“In the Dutch league you have to show how good you are against the big clubs,” Hato explained. “Ultimately I have to continue to develop the things I am already good at, so that it becomes top.

“How do I describe my time at Ajax? Ajax is home for me. I just feel at home here. I still have plenty of time. I don’t think: I absolutely have to win the Champions League in two years.”

At just 19 years old, Hato featured a total of 50 times for Ajax last season in all competitions, clocking up more than 4,000 minutes in total. The Dutchman predominantly played left-back throughout the 2024/25 campaign but he is also capable of tucking in and playing in the centre of defence.

Chelsea view his versatility as a massive green flag and it is part of the reason they are exploring a possible deal to sign the defender. Renato Veiga and Ben Chilwell will both return to Chelsea this summer after loan spells at Juventus and Crystal Palace, respectively, but both left-backs face an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.

This leaves Marc Cucurella as the only natural left-back option for Enzo Maresca to choose from. Ishe Samuels-Smith is highly rated at the club, but the teenager is yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues since signing in 2023.

Chelsea could also be on the lookout for a new left-sided centre-back. At the moment, Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile are the only left-footed central defenders and the latter could leave the club this summer. Sources close to Badiashile have refused to rule out the Frenchman departing Stamford Bridge in the coming months after a frustrating 2024/25 campaign.