Chelsea Nears €43M Jorrel Hato Transfer, Plans Cucurella Mentorship

Chelsea is close to signing 19-year-old Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax for a fee around £40 million, with the club planning an eight-year deal for the player. The transfer is part of a strategic plan to provide cover and competition for Marc Cucurella, Chelsea's current standout left-back, who played over 4,300 minutes last season and is expected to receive a contract extension. Manager Enzo Maresca aims for rotational flexibility to manage the demanding schedule of Premier League, domestic cups, and Champions League, and sees Hato's versatility and experience as crucial assets. Chelsea envisions a mentor-mentee relationship between Cucurella, who is nearing 27, and the younger Hato, hoping Hato can learn from Cucurella's development and reduce his workload without sacrificing performance. The club expects this partnership to be a cornerstone of their squad rebuilding efforts for a challenging season ahead. Hato's signing also aligns with Chelsea's broader transfer activity, including interest in other young talents like Xavi Simons.