Despite finishing in 10th place last season, not all of Chelsea’s players disappointed.
Joao Pedro still managed to score 20 goals for the Blues, while Enzo Fernandez did very well to also reach double figures from midfield.
In defence, Jorrel Hato was certainly one of Chelsea’s better players, contributing in the centre-back and left-back roles.
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Mamadou Sarr is being slept on…
Jorrel Hato happy at Chelsea after tough start
Hato arrived at Chelsea from Ajax in a £37m deal last summer. At first, the 20-year-old found it hard in the Premier League, but things improved for him in the second half of the 2025/26 season.
On his initial struggles before turning things around, Hato told SUPERGAANDE: “The first few months were just tough. I wasn’t feeling comfortable either. I wasn’t playing much, and when I did play, it wasn’t the level I should be reaching that I was at Ajax.
“But yeah, as you say, around the time the manager got sacked and the new manager came in, I got my chance and I took it, gained 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.”
Hato finished the season with 36 appearances to his name. He also managed to score a couple of goals in the FA Cup, including a lovely strike against Charlton Athletic.
Being able to play at centre-back and left-back, he proved to be a very useful player for Liam Rosenior and Calum McFarlane.
His good form saw him earn a call-up for the Netherlands at this year’s World Cup, and he will now be hoping he can make a similar impact at the tournament.
Why Jorrel Hato could be set for massive season
Things could get even better for Hato after the World Cup. Marc Cucurella could be about to leave Chelsea, which would open up a spot in the starting XI for Hato.
It is expected that Cucurella will choose between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid once he finishes representing Spain at the World Cup.
Hato’s best performances for Chelsea probably came in central defence. There, he was calm on the ball, read the game well and made some excellent blocks.
However, he is adept at playing at left-back, so do not be surprised to see him there under Alonso, especially if Cucurella does depart. All in all, the Netherlands international could be a really important player for Chelsea during the 2026/27 campaign.
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