Chelsea
Jorrel Hato: Chelsea’s Promising Defensive Talent with Versatile Play
Jorrel Hato is a versatile defensive talent Chelsea fans can expect to impact at left back and central roles.
Jorrel Hato has emerged as one of the foremost young defensive talents in Europe since debuting for Ajax in January 2023. Chelsea’s interest reflects his growing reputation as a versatile and technically gifted player shaped by the principles of totaalvoetbal, where players adapt to multiple roles on the pitch.
Primarily a defender, Hato combines strong tackling with exceptional recovery speed. His real distinction lies in his ball-carrying ability and composure under pressure, driving attacks from deep positions with nimble footwork and a low centre of gravity. Equally adept at long and line-breaking passes, he is a reliable left-footed presence in defence.
“If you play at the Ajax academy, you always get that bravery the coaches tell you to play with,” Hato remarked, highlighting his willingness to dribble past opponents and create chances when space permits.
His leadership qualities complement his technical skills, evidenced by his vice-captaincy at Ajax and becoming the youngest captain in the club’s history at just 17 years and 282 days. However, questions about his physicality persist. Standing 5’11″, Hato faces challenges in aerial duels, especially against bigger forwards, a concern highlighted by former Ajax manager Francesco Farioli.
Hato himself acknowledges the need to improve physically, aiming to add muscle and aerial prowess. Until then, in senior matches, he has often been utilized as a left back, where his agility and passing shine without requiring frequent physical confrontations.
Dutch football circles draw parallels between Hato and players like Nathan Aké, Joško Gvardiol, and notably Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber, whom Hato cites as a mentor. The Chelsea connection is reinforced by his admiration for former Blues defender Thiago Silva, an inspiration given Silva’s success despite not being the tallest centre back.
At Chelsea, Hato is expected mainly to act as a left back, providing cover for Marc Cucurella. He has embraced this role, describing himself as an “all-rounder” comfortable both centrally and wide. Under coach Enzo Maresca’s tactics, which favour full back inversion and flexible positioning, Hato’s ability to shift inside or step up into midfield will add valuable tactical options.
This flexibility could reshape Chelsea’s defensive setup, balancing defensive sturdiness with attacking support from the flanks. While he is not likely to immediately displace Cucurella, Hato’s presence will strengthen squad depth and enable tactical variations crucial for competing at the elite level.
Arsenal
Premier League Hall of Fame: Every Inductee and the Case for Their Place
A concise overview of every Premier League Hall of Fame inductee and why they were chosen. Read more
The Premier League Hall of Fame has become a permanent feature of the competition’s modern story. For a player to be eligible for a place in the Premier League’s Hall of Fame, they must have made 250 appearances in the division since its 1992 inauguration or achieved one of the following:
The list of inductees reads like a roll call of defining figures. The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer has just a single league title to his name, but he’ll likely remain a record-holder unless Harry Kane opts to make a comeback post-Bayern Munich. Shearer’s greatest collective success came with Blackburn Rovers, but he’s immortalised on Tyneside.
Many regard Henry as the greatest Premier League player there’s been. The dazzling French forward has the collective accolades and individual achievements to supply a compelling case. Cantona was utterly unique. Man Utd took a flyer on Cantona at the start of the Premier League era, but the Frenchman proved to be the making of the Red Devils’ 90s dynasty.
Roy Keane is presented as arguably the greatest captain the League has ever seen, while Lampard remains the highest scoring midfielder in the competition, with over 600 Premier League appearances and three league titles with Chelsea. Bergkamp is remembered for sustained runs of brilliance that propelled Arsenal to league titles.
Beckham’s off-field prominence often overshadowed his on-field quality, but he was one of the stars of Premier League football in the 90s. Rooney’s arrival felt inevitable and he was a constant thorn for many opponents at the Theatre of Dreams. Vieira was an early Wenger recruit and the leader of Arsenal teams that conquered the country on multiple occasions.
Drogba’s 254 Premier League appearances all came for Chelsea, where he won four league titles. Kompany won Premier League Player of the Season during Man City’s dramatic 2011–12 success. Schmeichel redefined goalkeeping for his era. Scholes, part of the Class of ’92, evolved into a classy deep-lying performer. Ian Wright struck 113 Premier League goals and claimed a title in 1997–98.
Managers are represented too. Ferguson spent 26 years at United and inspired 13 league titles. Wenger managed a record 828 games and remains the only ‘Invincible’ manager in Premier League history.
Defenders and goalkeepers feature prominently: Adams, Čech, Ferdinand and Ashley Cole are all included for their defining contributions. The Hall of Fame collects these careers to explain why each figure matters to the competition’s history.
Chelsea
Chelsea provide timeline for Liam Delap after hamstring scan clears surgery
Liam Delap faces up to 10 weeks out with a hamstring injury; Dário Essugo has had thigh surgery. FYI
Chelsea have received reassuring news on Liam Delap’s hamstring injury after fresh scans indicated the striker will not require surgery. The club expect the former Ipswich Town forward to return to training in November, with the recovery timeframe put at around 10 weeks from the initial problem.
That length of absence would see Delap miss a further 13 matches, including fixtures against Bayern Munich and Manchester United later this month and a trip to Liverpool in early October. Ten weeks from the date of the initial injury places a possible return in mid-November, with the trip to Burnley on Nov. 22 and the Champions League meeting with Barcelona three days later both highlighted as potential landmarks for his comeback.
Chelsea did not sign an additional senior striker during the window, apparently keeping an eye on Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha as a candidate to join Stamford Bridge as soon as next season. In the short term the club have adjusted squad plans: Nicolas Jackson’s loan to Bayern Munich was initially cancelled, and young striker Marc Guiu was recalled from a loan with Sunderland amid concern Delap’s absence might be longer than Enzo Maresca’s estimations.
Jackson was ultimately allowed to join Bayern after the Bundesliga side increased their offer with a record loan fee and a conditional obligation to buy which club official Uli Hoeneß recently insisted would “never” be triggered.
Guiu will provide cover for João Pedro while Delap recovers. The Athletic reports Delap is not expected to require surgery and should be back in training in November, in time for Chelsea’s congested festive period.
There is less positive news elsewhere in the squad. Midfielder Dário Essugo withdrew from Portugal’s U21 squad and has now undergone surgery on a thigh injury. Chelsea have not provided a recovery date for Essugo.
Chelsea
Disasi Ready to Play Again as Chelsea Weighs Options for Surplus Trio
Axel Disasi prepared to play for Chelsea again despite being frozen out by Enzo Maresca. Sources say.
Axel Disasi is prepared to play for Chelsea again this season despite being frozen out by manager Enzo Maresca, according to reports. The centre back attracted interest from both the Premier League and Ligue 1 before the window closed, but remains on the club’s books and has signalled a willingness to prove his value.
Disasi, it is understood, will be expected to train away from Enzo Maresca’s main squad for the time being, though he has indicated he would be happy to return to first-team duties if given the chance. BBC Sport reports he is determined to remain professional while still contracted to Chelsea.
The club also faces decisions over Raheem Sterling and David Datro Fofana. Sterling remains in exile after snubbing a Deadline Day exit. Fofana saw a late move to Charlton collapse. All three players — Sterling, Disasi and Fofana — cost a combined £96 million ($130 million) and, as matters stand, will be required to train alone until the January transfer window opens and solutions are sought.
A complicating factor for Chelsea is the limit on overseas loan places. Nicolas Jackson’s move to Bayern Munich occupied the final one of six overseas loan spots available to the club, which leaves domestic loans to the Premier League or permanent sales as the primary routes out of Stamford Bridge for the unwanted players.
Reports from Brazil have suggested Chelsea could cancel the loan of Deivid Washington. Washington, who cost £17 million when he joined in 2023, has one goal in 19 appearances while on a temporary return to Santos. Cancelling that loan would free an overseas spot and could simplify an exit for Disasi, Fofana or Sterling.
Sterling remains Chelsea’s highest earner and is thought to be pocketing well over £300,000 per week. How the club navigates the departures, loans and training arrangements for the trio will be a matter for the January window and the club’s recruitment strategy.
