Chelsea’s defensive points have been highlighted in current weeks, with accidents as soon as once more plaguing quite a few gamers in Enzo Maresca’s squad, opening the door to new arrivals this window.
Wesley Fofana has been a key member of the Italian’s squad since he took the reign in the summertime, beginning all of the first 12 outings of the Premier League season.
Nonetheless, his hamstring damage initially of December seems to be worse than first feared, with the Blues boss not sure whether or not the Frenchman will characteristic once more in 2024/25.
His compatriot Benoit Badiashile has additionally been sidelined in current matches, leaving the membership gentle in defensive areas and all the way down to their naked bones – even seeing teen Josh Acheampong characteristic towards Crystal Palace.
It’s no shock to see the membership delve into the switch market to try to land reinforcements, with one participant strongly linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge this winter.
Chelsea main the race for defensive star
Based on CaughtOffside, Chelsea are leading the race to signal Ajax’s younger centre-back Jorrel Hato earlier than the top of the continued switch window.
Arsenal and Actual Madrid are additionally stated to be serious about a transfer for the 18-year-old, with the Dutch facet holding out for a payment within the area of £40m-£45m this month.
{The teenager}, who’s an academy product of the Eredivisie outfit, has started 15 times in the league to date, scoring two targets and registering 4 assists – a staggering report for a centre-back of his tender age.
The report additionally states that the Blues are prepared to half methods with a number of gamers to boost funds for a transfer to land Hato, who’s seen as a participant for the present and future with his young age and flexibility.
Such a transfer might finish the pursuit of 1 different defensive possibility, undoubtedly providing a less expensive various, while offering a critical improve given their respective figures this marketing campaign.
Why Hato could be a greater possibility than Guehi for Chelsea
Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi moved to Selhurst Park in a £18m deal from Chelsea again in the summertime of 2021 – after impressing within the Championship for Swansea Metropolis the season prior.
Nonetheless, in current days, the now England worldwide has been mooted with a return to his boyhood club, three and a half years after leaving the Bridge – but could cost around £75m – a fairly merely bonkers payment.
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It wouldn’t be the primary time the membership have offloaded somebody prematurely earlier than signing them once more down the road, with Romelu Lukaku only one instance, costing the hierarchy £97.5m in the identical window.
His transfer is proof {that a} return doesn’t all the time go as deliberate, highlighting the necessity for Maresca to keep away from the 24-year-old and prioritise a transfer for Ajax teen Hato.
When evaluating the duo’s respective stats from the continued marketing campaign, the Dutch teen has massively outperformed Guehi in numerous key areas, highlighting how a lot of an excellent addition he could be for the West London outfit.
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How Jorrel Hato compares to Marc Guehi in 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Hato |
Guehi |
|
Video games performed |
16 |
19 |
|
Targets & assists |
6 |
3 |
|
Progressive carries |
1.5 |
0.4 |
|
Progressive passes |
5.2 |
4.1 |
|
Cross accuracy |
89% |
83% |
|
Tackles gained |
1.5 |
0.8 |
|
Interceptions made |
0.7 |
0.5 |
|
Aerials gained |
70% |
62% |
|
Stats through FBref |
||
Hato, who’s been dubbed “one of the most talented CBs of his generation in Europe” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, has accomplished extra progressive carries and passes per 90 – showcasing what a wonderful match he could be for Maresca’s system, which requires his backline to be succesful in taking part in out from the again.
A carry is taken into account progressive if the ball is moved in direction of the opponent’s purpose not less than 10 yards from its place to begin or is carried into the penalty space.
Defensively, the Dutchman has additionally dominated Guehi, successful extra tackles per 90, while additionally popping out on prime in additional aerial battles, actually proving to be an actual top-quality all-round defender regardless of his youthful age.
Given the large distinction in high quality and price ticket, the Blues severely want to contemplate a transfer for the Ajax star over Guehi, undoubtedly providing Hato the prospect to enhance additional on condition that he’s six years youthful than the Palace man.
Any deal will doubtless price the hierarchy one other first rate chunk of cash, so it’s pivotal they make the fitting name to forestall losing any funds, with Hato the right choice to star inside the backline beneath Maresca’s steerage.
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