New Chelsea who signed Jorrel Hato has all the qualities to enjoy a successful career at Stamford Bridge, says former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Hato completed his £ 38.6 million (€ 44.2 million) to the blues earlier this month and is expected to play a crucial role in the side of Enzo Maresca this season.
That is due to the news of the absence of Levi Colwill for a large part of the 2025-26 campaign after he had been injured in the front cruciate ligament (ACL).
Hato can work in the middle of the center and the left side, and he played in the Eredivisie 31 times last season, 30 of which from the beginning.
The 19-year-old scored twice and placed on six assists, with only Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani (eight) giving more assists with defenders in the competition.
Ten Hag, who is now the head coach of Bundesliga Giants Bayer Leverkusen, left Ajax in 2022 to become a member of Manchester United, but simply missed the rise of Hato in the first team.
Hato in the house. pic.twitter.com/xvlcm8stvx
– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) August 3, 2025
After having followed his career from far, however, Ten Hag believes that it will not be long to adapt to life in the Premier League.
“You always need a little time, but he has an excellent mentality, so that he can develop very quickly,” Ten Hag said.
“He has all the elements, all the qualities in his game to show that he can become a very successful player.
“I am convinced that he will be successful in Chelsea. I congratulate Chelsea. I bet he is sorry that he does not have me at Ajax, given that they have not won titles in recent years.
“When I left, he arrived, but he was developed and progressed. He was one of the best, perhaps the best players in the Eredivisie. He is so young, but already at a very high level.”
Chelsea starts their Premier League campaign this Sunday with a trip to Selhurst Park to tackle winners Crystal Palace of the Community Schild.
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