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Key Points

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has praised new signing Jorrel Hato's surprising maturity despite being just 19 years old. The Dutch defender arrives with extensive experience from Ajax, including captaincy duties and international caps. Maresca cautioned that Hato will still need time to adjust to English football's intensity and tempo. Chelsea continues integrating several new young signings as preseason preparations intensify.

Key Points: Chelsea's Maresca Praises Mature New Signing Jorrel Hato

  • Jorrel Hato joins Chelsea with 100+ senior Ajax appearances
  • Maresca warns of Premier League adaptation period
  • Hato captained Ajax and earned Netherlands caps
  • Chelsea integrates multiple new signings this preseason
2 min read

Jorrel Hato is more mature than his age, says Maresca

Enzo Maresca highlights Jorrel Hato's maturity but warns the young Dutch defender needs time to adapt to Premier League football at Chelsea.

"He is much more mature than his age; he has captained Ajax and this kind of thing. - Enzo Maresca"

London, Aug 8

Enzo Maresca says Jorrel Hato is ‘more mature than his age’ but stresses the defender will need time to acclimatise to life at Chelsea.

The 19-year-old completed his switch to Stamford Bridge on Sunday and has spent the past week training with his new team-mates at Cobham.

Hato has arrived with more than 100 senior appearances under his belt following three seasons in the Ajax first team. He also captained the Dutch club on several occasions and has been capped six times by the Netherlands. It’s why Maresca believes Hato, who can play at centre-back and full-back, carries himself like a player with more experience.

“He is much more mature than his age; he has captained Ajax and this kind of thing. But with him, the messaging is the same. He is in a different country, a different league, a different tempo, and a different intensity. He needs to adapt, but for sure, there are no doubts he is going to help us,” said Maresca to Chelsea’s media team.

Hato is one of several new faces at Cobham this week, with Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro also training with the club for the first time.

Maresca reiterated that those new to English football will need time to adapt to their new surroundings, but the Italian is pleased the Club World Cup enabled several of the other summer additions to settle into the squad. “For sure, they need time, first of all, probably Jamie is the only one who knows a little bit the country and the Premier League, even if he’s very young,” Maresca added. “Players like Hato and Estevao need to adapt. Fortunately for us, Dario (Essugo), Andrey (Santos), Liam (Delap) and Joao Pedro were already with us in the USA, so it’s much easier for them.”

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why are we spending so much on foreign players when we have good Indian defenders who could be developed? Our ISL has talent that never gets these opportunities abroad.
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Aditya G
Maturity at 19 with 100+ appearances is impressive! But Premier League physicality is another level. Remember how Sancho struggled initially? Hope Hato gets proper time to settle.
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Sarah B
As an Ajax fan living in Mumbai, I've watched Hato closely. His positioning is world class for his age. Chelsea got a bargain at £20m! Will miss him at Amsterdam though 😢
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Nikhil C
Another young signing that'll get loaned out in 2 seasons. Chelsea's youth policy is so inconsistent. Should focus on first team quality rather than potential.
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Kavya N
Hope he succeeds! We need more non-European players making it big in top leagues. Shows global football is changing 🌍⚽ Though adaptation period will be crucial.

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