Chelsea completed the signing of Jorrel Hato from Ajax last Sunday, but they did not get a free run at the defender.
Arsenal and Liverpool were also said to have been interested in Hato before his move to Stamford Bridge, and it has now emerged that another one of the Blues’ rivals actually made an enquiry for the player.
Hato is unlikely to be the last signing Chelsea make, with the club also interested in Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
It has been claimed that Chelsea have held talks with Garnacho’s entourage about a transfer this summer.
Tottenham made Jorrel Hato enquiry
Had Tottenham Hotspur been a bit quicker, Hato may have ended up in north London instead of west London.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Europa League winners made an enquiry to sign the 19-year-old from Ajax after Chelsea had already made their move for him.
Speaking on Last Words On Spurs, Jacobs said: “Nothing came of it but very soon after Chelsea came formally to the table for Jorrel Hato, Tottenham put in an enquiry to Ajax as well. It didn’t lead to anything.”
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Hato will still get a chance to play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Chelsea travel there in November.
Before then, Hato and his new side have London derbies against Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Fulham, all of which come in their first three games of the new Premier League season. They also take on Brentford before their trip to north London.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has lauded Hato, claiming that he is a “top signing” for Enzo Maresca‘s team.
Enzo Maresca told Jorrel Hato’s best position
Chelsea want to use Hato at left-back, which is not a surprise. It is the position he played at Ajax last season, while the Blues have lacked cover there.
However, Winston Bogarde, who has worked with the player, does not think it is his best position. When Bogarde spoke about Hato in 2024, he said: “His best position is left centre.”
Hato could get opportunities to play in central defence, especially considering Benoit Badiashile’s injury record. But Maresca really needs an alternative to Marc Cucurella in the left-back position after a campaign where the Spaniard made 54 appearances.