Ajax are set for a swift reunion with their former player and new Chelsea signing Jorrel Hato.
Ajax take on Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday and face the prospect of going up against their ex-defender.
The Dutch club sold Hato to the Blues during the summer transfer window, and it is fair to say that they have missed him.
Following Benoit Badiashile’s latest injury, some Chelsea fans would like to see Hato start in central defence.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesAjax’s win rate has decreased dramatically since Jorrel Hato’s move to Chelsea
Ajax manager John Heitinga would have loved to have had Hato as an option for his side’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
Last season, Ajax won 64% of their games in all competitions when Hato featured. That number has dropped drastically since his departure.
It is quite a small sample size, as Ajax have only played 11 matches so far this term, but their current win rate is only 36.6%.
Ajax with and without Jorrel HatoGamesWinsDrawsLossesWin rateAjax with Jorrel Hato (2024/25)503281064%Ajax without Jorrel Hato (2025/26)1144336.6%
Heitinga’s men have already lost two Champions League games this season, so they need to get a positive result in west London.
However, that is going to be a difficult task for them, especially without Hato.
Chelsea have a lot of injuries right now, but they have managed to find a bit of form of late. They beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Saturday after defeating Liverpool 2-1 just before the international break.
Hato did not feature against Forest, but another young defender did star at the City Ground. Josh Acheampong shone for Chelsea, scoring their opening goal and helping the team to keep a clean sheet.
Photo by Teresa Kroeger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesJorrel Hato more likely to start at left-back against Ajax
There is no guarantee that Hato will start against his former side on Wednesday, but if the Dutchman does, you would expect him to play at left-back.
Enzo Maresca should have Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana all available.
Two of the four are likely to start in central defence, while Hato may come in for Marc Cucurella so he can get some rest.