Jorrel Hato is experiencing some starting problems at Chelsea. The nineteen-year-old defender did not have a great game for Chelsea on Saturday against city rivals Brentford. In the English media, he received a failing grade.
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Jorrel Hato is facing some early difficulties at Chelsea as he adjusts to life in the Premier League.
The nineteen-year-old Dutch defender, who arrived from Ajax with high expectations, found himself under heavy scrutiny following his performance on Saturday in the 2-2 draw against Brentford, a match that once again highlighted Chelsea’s inconsistency and ongoing defensive concerns.
Hato, deployed at left-back in place of the injured Marc Cucurella, struggled to impose himself on the game. The youngster looked uncomfortable at times both defensively and offensively, with the English press quick to point out that he is still adapting to the faster, more physical nature of Premier League football. The Daily Express was particularly critical, giving him a rating of 4 and noting that he failed to make a convincing impression as Cucurella’s replacement. Sky Sports was only slightly more forgiving, awarding him a 5, but likewise highlighted his lack of influence on the game.
The London Evening Standard echoed those concerns, also handing the teenager a 4 and describing it as “not the best display from Hato on the left side of defense.” The newspaper pointed out that he offered very little attacking threat down the flank, a role in which Cucurella often provides energy and width, and that he was substituted at half-time. Manager Enzo Maresca, however, was quick to defend his young player after the game, stressing that the change had nothing to do with performance. According to Maresca, the decision had already been made before kick-off that Hato would play only one half in order to ease him into Premier League action gradually, rather than overwhelm him in his first appearances for the club.
The Mirror was similarly unimpressed, highlighting that Hato found it difficult to adapt and to provide the same influence Cucurella typically does when patrolling the left-hand side. The outlet gave him a 5, while The Sun was even harsher, awarding him a 4 and criticizing his inability to move the ball quickly and effectively in possession something Cucurella is known for at Chelsea. The Sun did, however, add that his performance was “not terrible,” but emphasized that the youngster has “a lot to learn before he can become the Spaniard’s long-term successor.”
For Hato, this represents the latest challenge in what is expected to be a period of adaptation in England. Having been a standout talent in the Eredivisie, where the pace and intensity of matches differ significantly from the Premier League, the Dutchman now faces the task of developing the physical resilience, tactical awareness, and decision-making speed required at the highest level of English football. Chelsea fans, who have seen many young signings arrive with promise only to struggle in their early months, will be hoping that patience and proper management will allow Hato to grow into the role.
Maresca’s careful approach suggests the club understands the risks of throwing a young player straight into the deep end. With Chelsea still searching for stability and consistency under his guidance, Hato’s integration will likely be gradual, with appearances managed and tailored to his development. The defender’s natural talent and composure on the ball, shown at Ajax and with the Netherlands youth teams, remain undeniable. However, Saturday’s match underlined the reality that adapting to the Premier League is rarely straightforward, even for the most promising of prospects.
The 2-2 draw against Brentford itself added to Chelsea’s frustrations, as defensive lapses and missed opportunities once again cost them points in their pursuit of climbing the league table. For Hato, the game will be remembered as a steep learning curve one in which he was reminded that expectations are high, and patience is thin, at a club with Chelsea’s ambitions.
If he can absorb the lessons from outings like this and build on them, Hato still has every chance of becoming a key figure for Chelsea in the years ahead. For now, though, it is clear that his Premier League journey is only just beginning, and that it will take time, experience, and resilience before he can truly establish himself as a reliable successor to Cucurella.
Updated: 02:33, 14 Sep 2025
