It has been widely reported that Chelsea have seven ‘untouchables’ going into the summer transfer window, with Xabi Alonso picking the players he considers unavailable for sale.
It won’t come as a surprise that defenders Reece James and Levi Colwill are two names on the list. The club captain and arguably the club’s best defender deserve their names on the list of untouchables.
How would you rank Chelsea’s so-called “untouchables” ahead of the new season?
Here is The Chelsea Chronicle's list!
7. Josh Acheampong
6. Estevao Willian
5. Levi Colwill
4. Moises Caicedo
3. Joao Pedro
2. Reece James
1. Cole Palmer
Like James, Moises Caicedo signed a new deal during the second half of the season, and he is on the list alongside Cole Palmer and Player of the Season Joao Pedro. Josh Acheampong and Estevao are as well.
It suggests that any other player will have their price. If Chelsea had their way, Enzo Fernandez would be on the list, but the club is realistic enough to know that the World Cup winner wants to join Real Madrid.
The £37m player that deserves to be on the ‘untouchables’ list
There is no indication that Jorrel Hato’s future at Stamford Bridge is in doubt. Bought from Ajax 12 months ago, the left-footed defender endured a difficult first half of the season under Enzo Maresca.
Certainly, many thought his future at Chelsea might be considered after he was hooked at half-time in the 3-2 comeback win over West Ham by Liam Rosenior. But he showed huge improvement after that display.
In what might be one of only a few positives under Rosenior, Hato moved centrally and really improved his form. With Marc Cucurella gone, reports say Alonso plans to promote Hato into a more regular role.
Given his age, his improvement, his versatility, and the plan Alonso has put in place for the Netherlands defender, surely £37m signing Hato deserves to be on the list of ‘untouchables’ going into the summer.
What Jorrel Hato has said about his own Chelsea form
No player wants the most-improved title, but halfway through the season, Hato would have bitten your hand off for it. Certainly, he is a contender among Chelsea’s squad for becoming the most improved.
Who would you rather see at left-back next season, Jorrel Hato or Lewis Hall?
Hall is being linked with a return to Chelsea following Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid 🇪🇸
Earlier this month, he admitted his first half to the season was a struggle: “The first few months were just tough. I wasn’t feeling comfortable either. I wasn’t playing much, I wasn’t reaching the level I was at Ajax.
“Around the time the manager got sacked, I got my chance, took it, more confidence, and eventually I just got into that flow where I showed at Chelsea what I showed at Ajax. Now I’m really getting into it, man.”
Next season will see opportunities become fewer and further between, with Chelsea failing to qualify for Europe. But Hato has earned his chance and Chelsea will be desperate to keep him this summer.
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