Chelsea are now being tipped with a potential summer move to sign an international defender.
Even though the transfer window doesn’t open for another few months, the Blues continue to be very busy behind the scenes with recruitment.
It’s been confirmed this week that Chelsea have signed two Sporting Lisbon players. Midfielder Dario Essugo, 20, will move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, while 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda will arrive at Chelsea in 2026.
It does feel like the Blues squad is getting bigger at a rapid rate, but Chelsea could sell up to eight players when the summer window comes around.
- READ MORE: How Chelsea are already considering getting rid of Jadon Sancho despite signing him this summer
Chelsea prepare move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato
Ajax and Netherlands star Jorrel Hato, 19, is rumoured to be on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist.
According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are one of the top clubs preparing a transfer move for Hato this summer.
Apparently, the Blues are joined by Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal in pursuing the teenage defender. Also, Spanish giants Real Madrid are looking at the Dutchman.
The report mentions that the four sides have all scouted the youngster in recent months as they get ready to launch a summer raid.
It was claimed in January that Chelsea were frontrunners for Ajax’s Hato, who could cost somewhere between £40m-£45m. We’d like to see the Blues slow down a bit with the volume of signings they are making, but genuine competition and cover for Marc Cucurella at left-back is something they need ahead of next season.
At the age of 19, Hato has already racked up a lot of experience in Amsterdam after coming out of the club’s famous academy.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards | Trophies |
| 103 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
Jorrel Hato sent off this week on international duty
On Thursday night, Hato started for the Netherlands in a 2-2 draw against Spain in the first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals. Unfortunately, the 19-year-old talent is likely to remember his sixth cap for the Dutch for all the wrong reasons.
Hato was shown a red card late in the second half for a challenge on Spanish defender Robin Le Normand. We do think it was a tad harsh from the referee because he made a firm contact with the opposition player very low down his leg.
| Minutes played | Accurate passes | Chances created | Tackles won | Interceptions | Error led to goal | Red cards | Match rating |
| 81 | 23/26 (88%) | 0 | 1/2 (50%) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4.4 |
The Ajax youngster will learn a lot from a tough night on the international stage. Without a doubt, all the top players have bumps in the road during their development.
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