Reports suggest the defender Jorrel Hato may be sent on a loan from Chelsea just months after joining from Ajax.
A loan move on the cards for Jorrel Hato
Chelsea’s summer business was meant to steady the ship, but it’s fair to say things haven’t gone to plan. The club splashed €45m on Jorrel Hato from Ajax, hoping to add quality and depth to their backline. Rather, the young player has appeared miles off the speed of English football. His game against Lincoln City of League One wasn’t a good start. There were serious doubts on whether he was thrown in too soon met with the intensity.
Injuries throughout the group have only added pressure for Chelsea. The lack of new players to step up are leaving Enzo Maresca worrying on his options. While Joao Pedro has shown flashes, the rest of the new faces, including Hato, have failed to deliver.
It’s not unusual for young talents to take time adapting. But, Chelsea’s current position demands instant impact. That is something the Dutchman simply hasn’t provided.
What Chelsea should do next
As per reports, a loan move back to the Eredivisie could be on the cards. But, that feels like a sideways step. Hato has already proved himself in that league while at Ajax. So, repeating the same cycle won’t sharpen him for the PL grind.
If Chelsea are serious about his development, a short stint at another English top-flight club makes far more sense. Regular minutes in a competitive environment would toughen him up and prepare him for the Blues’ expectations.
The bigger issue, though, is Chelsea’s hit-and-miss signings. Far too often signings arrive and make little difference. That leads to fans asking questions about whether the scouting department is in sync with the manager’s wishes.
Hato may eventually develop into the player Chelsea had in mind. But, his rocky start shows that potential, in itself, does not win points in the PL. January will be key to see how that story develops.
Author’s Opinion:
Sending Hato back to Netherlands won’t solve anything. If Chelsea really believe in him, they need to test him against PL attackers. Otherwise, this signing risks becoming another expensive gamble gone wrong.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
