Chelsea transfer chiefs could actually be in the market for another striker after sealing a £35 million deal for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato earlier this week, despite already bringing in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this window.
Hato has put pen to paper on a seven-year contract after completing a medical on Friday, with the Dutchman set to provide cover for Marc Cucurella at left-back whilst also potentially reinforcing Enzo Maresca’s central defensive options from time to time.
The 19-year-old arrives at Stamford Bridge after making over 110 senior appearances for Ajax, despite his young age, which includes experience in European competitions as well.
Whilst Hato began his career predominantly at centre-half, Chelsea agree with former Ajax manager, Francesco Farioli, that his future is in the full-back area.
“Jorrel started as a central defender, but under our guidance he became a full-back at national team level,” said Farioli, via Ben Jacobs on X.
“This kind of transformation stems from a detailed analysis of his technical and physical attributes. “Hato has excellent technical skills, he’s physically strong and fast, and he’s good in one-on-one situations. While he may not have a natural defensive instinct as a centre-back, his experience in that role gave him good game-reading abilities.
“Ajax still viewed him as a central defender, but I believe that at the very highest levels, like the Premier League, a player who stands at 1.81m will struggle to play centrally, especially in physically demanding duels.
“In my opinion, his future lies more as a left-back, a position that requires both attacking and defensive qualities and fits better with his characteristics.”
Chelsea’s immediate next transfer plans will most likely revolve around their attack.
RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons remains in talks to join Chelsea, with the Netherlands international opting out of training on Friday and removing Leipzig from his Instagram bio as he pushes for a Stamford Bridge move (Fabrizio Romano).
Chelsea are also expected to bid for Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho in what would be a separate deal to Simons, with Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha remaining on BlueCo’s radar too.
Chelsea looking to strike “early” cut-price deal for Emmanuel Emegha
Reports suggest that Chelsea could still sign another striker if Nicolas Jackson leaves, and Emegha is chief among their targets after an excellent season in Ligue 1.
|
Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season |
Average match rating |
|---|---|
|
Cole Palmer |
7.33 |
|
Moises Caicedo |
7.02 |
|
Enzo Fernández |
6.95 |
|
Nicolas Jackson |
6.88 |
|
Noni Madueke |
6.82 |
|
via WhoScored |
|
The 22-year-old was clocked as the fastest player in France’s top flight last season with Chelsea looking to strike an “early deal” for Emegha, anticipating that his price tag could soar to £44 million-plus in the next few years if they don’t act now.
That is according to Telegraph journalist Matt Law, who told the London is Blue podcast this week that Chelsea aim to sign the Dutchman for a cheaper fee this
window.
“I was told by someone who works around the Strasbourg end of things, that they believe that one day this guy could be a €50m-plus striker,” said Law.
“I think maybe they’re looking to do an early deal for him, to get him into a Chelsea player, is looking at that fair market value.
“Because if you do it now, you can probably do it around, I’m guessing here. I don’t know that this is a figure, but say €25m (£22m). If you do it another year down the line, you might be looking at a fair market value of around €40m (£35m).”
Emegha bagged 14 Ligue 1 goals last term, alongside being Ligue 1’s most explosive player, but it is unclear what Chelsea’s plans will be for him, or whether he’d be thrust straight into Maresca’s first team.
