Enzo Maresca is dealing with a bit of an injury crisis at Chelsea right now.
The Chelsea manager started the season without Levi Colwill and has since lost Liam Delap and Dario Essugo to injuries.
Star player Cole Palmer has not been fit either, giving Maresca a real headache. Injuries, of course, cannot be avoided, but Chelsea can reduce the chance of them with better rotation.
It is why the club would be mad to loan out one of their summer signings in January.
Jorrel Hato can help prevent Marc Cucurella injury
Chelsea signed Jorrel Hato from Ajax in the summer to provide cover for Marc Cucurella, but the defender is already being linked with a move away from the club.
It has been claimed that Hato could join an Eredivisie team on loan to gain more minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
From his perspective, that makes sense. The 19-year-old is not going to be the first-choice left-back at Stamford Bridge, not with Cucurella around.
However, Chelsea need an alternative to the Spaniard in case anything happens to him. In fact, Maresca should be using the Dutch youngster so nothing does happen to Cucurella.
Last season, Cucurella made just under 55 appearances. Another campaign of non-stop football, and a serious injury may only be around the corner.
It is why Chelsea should be looking to keep hold of Hato while giving him minutes. Using Cucurella twice a week is just asking for trouble.
How Enzo Maresca can fully utilise Jorrel Hato this season
As well as at left-back, Hato also has plenty of experience playing in central defence.
As Hato becomes more acclimatised to the Premier League, Maresca should also consider using him there, especially with Colwill set to miss most of the season.
Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo have not looked great lately, while Hato is a product of Ajax. Really, he should not be struggling on the ball and passing out of defence, which is what Maresca requires of his centre-halves.
Of course, Chelsea have to keep hold of their £37m signing if he is to be a centre-back option for Maresca this term.
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