Jorrel Hato had a hard time playing in central defence during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Qarabag on Wednesday.
Hato partnered Tosin Adarabioyo there, and the pair really struggled as the former went on to make two costly mistakes.
It was a display that rivalled Tiemoue Bakayoko’s performance against Watford back in 2018. For many Chelsea supporters, it is the worst individual showing in the club’s history.
As for Hato, some will feel that he has little excuse for performing so poorly against Qarabag.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesJorrel Hato played as a centre-back before Chelsea move
Playing in central defence was not a new experience for Hato. Enzo Maresca has already used him there this season, while the 19-year-old also started plenty of games as a centre-back at Ajax.
It is true that Chelsea signed Hato to provide competition for Marc Cucurella in the left-back position, and that is where he mostly played for Ajax last term.
However, according to Transfermarkt, Hato has racked up 73 appearances as a centre-half. Simply put, he is not an amateur there.
Chelsea supporters would have been expecting a much better performance from him, but he is still just a teenager adapting to a new team.
Hato needs more time, and if the former Ajax man gets that, he may be able to develop into a top centre-back and left-back for the Blues.
Photo by TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP via Getty ImagesJorrel Hato’s number of games at left-back
In his final campaign at Ajax, Hato played at left-back 46 times. In his entire career, he has been deployed there on 94 occasions.
Clearly, Hato is a very versatile defender who can bring a lot to Maresca’s side, though perhaps switching him around in different positions this term is not helping.
The Netherlands international certainly has enough quality to come good, it is just a question of what role it is going to happen in. Hato’s development at Chelsea is certainly one thing to keep an eye on.