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.
Chelsea
Estêvão: How hard work fast-tracked his Chelsea breakthrough
Estêvão: very happy at Chelsea, winning trust through hard work; started two PL games, POTM. in PL.
Estêvão’s entry into Chelsea’s first team has been as rapid as it has been conspicuous. The Brazilian teenager has carried momentum from Palmeiras and the FIFA Club World Cup into Stamford Bridge, and he has already started two of Chelsea’s three Premier League matches. That run included an eye-catching contribution in the 5–1 demolition of West Ham United, where he collected the official Player of the Match award.
The 18-year-old admits the speed of his progress has surprised him, but he is clear about what earned him opportunities. “It’s been very quick, and I’m already having a lot more opportunities than I expected at Chelsea,” the Brazil international told Globo Esporte. “That’s because of the work I’ve done in training. Maresca trusts me a lot, and I try to repay that on the pitch.”
Estêvão has also been frank about the on-field adjustment required by English football. “The intensity of the games and the style are very different. In England it’s more physical, more intense. I’m still adapting, but thanks to God it’s all working out.” The forward said that his approach remains straightforward and joy-driven. “I’m very happy because this is the only thing I know how to do, the only thing I love to do. I play with joy, with pleasure. That’s who I am.”
An early injury to clubmate Cole Palmer opened additional first-team minutes, and Estêvão has seized the chance to impress Enzo Maresca and supporters. The player’s comments underline a simple formula: consistent training, trust from the manager and a willingness to adapt to a more physical, fast-paced game. For now, those elements have combined to deliver a promising start to his Chelsea career and a clearer path into the team during a formative early run of fixtures.
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.
