‘I’m trying to figure out’… Pundit has no idea why ‘special’ player has just joined Chelsea

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Chelsea have been very active during this transfer window and their business is not finished yet.

This summer, the Blues have brought the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are now working on signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig to strengthen their attack even further.

Simons’ Netherlands teammate Jorrel Hato has also agreed to join the Club World Cup winners ahead of the new season.

• READ MORE: Jorrel Hato has too much potential for Enzo Maresca to waste like he did with £30m Chelsea failure

Steve Nicol questions Jorrel Hato’s decision to join Chelsea

Hato has decided to join Chelsea, where he will compete against Marc Cucurella for a spot in the team.

Former Liverpool player Steve Nicol does not expect it to be a battle that the Dutch youngster wins, though, and has thus questioned his decision to move to west London.

Speaking about Hato on ESPN FC, he said: “I’m trying to figure out from the player’s point of view. The fact that he’s played a lot of games is great, but to go and play a lot of games and then all of a sudden, make a move and then you don’t play, that’s not easy for a 19-year-old.

“Gab [Marcotti] is saying he’s mature, well he might be mature on the field, but to go to London and then to be sitting on your backside and not playing… because if you’re not playing, you’re not going to get any better.”

Chelsea have agreed to pay around £37m for Hato, which could prove to be a bargain if he manages to fulfil his potential at Stamford Bridge. In the past, former Ajax boss John van ‘t Schip has described Hato as “special”.

Hato is also capable of playing in central defence, so he could get some game time there under Enzo Maresca. But the early indications are that Maresca will mostly use him at left-back, with there being a lack of cover for Cucurella.

Chelsea’s view of Jorrel Hato and Marc Cucurella battle

Chelsea do not have the same kind of concerns about Hato that Nicol has. Instead, Chelsea’s view of Hato competing against Cucurella is that the two will actually benefit from the battle.

Whatever happens, from the club’s point of view, they had to sign a new left-back. Cucurella simply played too many games last season, 54 to be precise.

Chelsea did bring in Renato Veiga to provide cover, but the Portuguese ended up joining Juventus on loan in January and is likely to leave the Conference League holders permanently before the transfer window closes.

Atletico Madrid were keen on Veiga, who can also play at centre-back, but their interest seems to have cooled since signing David Hancko from Feyenoord.