Enzo Maresca can transform his Chelsea XI with Marc Cucurella and Jorrel Hato starting together next season

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Chelsea are closing in on the addition of a new defender who could transform how they set up for the 2025/26 season.

The Blues are pushing to bring in Jorrel Hato from Ajax, after a number of months of interest in one of the best young defenders in world football.

Hato is open to personal terms suggested by Chelsea, and his signing is much-needed based on recent transfer activity.

Chelsea see Hato as a replacement for Renato Veiga, who is expected to depart this summer after spending the second half of last season.

Enzo Maresca can transform his Chelsea XI with Marc Cucurella and Jorrel Hato starting together

Despite this, there is a lot more hype over the abilities of the Netherlands international right now, and he could be pushing to become a regular starter far quicker than Veiga was.

Enzo Maresca would not be looking to drop Marc Cucurella though, and the mission would be getting both in the starting side.

The 19-year-old has the ability to play in both centre-back and full-back, however the majority of his strengths lie in his pure defensive work.

This would allow Cucurella to continue to make an impact in the final third, something which Maresca has unlocked over the last 12 months. He contributed for 11 goals last season, after only being involved in six in the two seasons prior.

Reports have claimed that Chelsea are still open to the sale of Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah, as they search for the perfect partner for Levi Colwill.

Hato could be just that, and an incredible back three in possession that also includes Reece James could be formed at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s incredible strength in depth

If Maresca decides to go with the XI above, he would have so many options on the bench to make an impact on whatever situation the game threw up.

The surviving defenders of Tosin, Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile would provide cover at the back, while Malo Gusto provides a different option at right-back to the club captain.

Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos can deputise in midfield, while a host of new signings have the chance to make an impact if needed in attack.

Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Estevao Willian will be looking to establish themselves as starters after their moves, and the boss should be very excited about the strength in depth he has next season.