Is Jorrel Hato Really More Mature Than His Age?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jorrel Hato's maturity is recognized despite his young age.
- He has a wealth of experience from his time at Ajax.
- Transitioning to a new league requires adaptation.
- Other new signings are also undergoing adjustment.
- Chelsea's investment in young talent reflects their long-term vision.
London, Aug 8 (NationPress) Enzo Maresca remarked that Jorrel Hato demonstrates a level of maturity beyond his years, yet emphasized that the young defender will require time to adjust to his new environment at Chelsea.
The 19-year-old finalized his transfer to Stamford Bridge on Sunday and has been training with his new teammates at Cobham for the past week.
Hato comes with over 100 senior appearances amassed during three seasons with the first team at Ajax.
He has also served as captain for the Dutch club on multiple occasions and has earned six caps for the Netherlands.
This experience is why Maresca feels that Hato, who is capable of playing both centre-back and full-back, behaves like a player with significantly more experience.
“He is much more mature than his age; he has captained Ajax, which speaks volumes,” Maresca stated.
“However, it’s important to remember that he is in a new country, facing a different league, and experiencing a different tempo and intensity. He will need time to adapt, but I have no doubt he will be a valuable asset to us,” he told Chelsea’s media team.
Hato is among several fresh arrivals at Cobham this week, including Estevao, Jamie Gittens, and Joao Pedro, who are also training with the club for the first time.
Maresca reiterated that newcomers to English football will need time to get used to their new surroundings, but he is pleased that the Club World Cup has helped several other summer signings acclimate to the team.
“Definitely, they will need time; Jamie is probably the only one familiar with the country and the Premier League, even though he’s still quite young,” Maresca added.
“Players like Hato and Estevao will need to adjust. Thankfully, Dario (Essugo), Andrey (Santos), Liam (Delap), and Joao Pedro have already been with us in the USA, making their transition a bit smoother.”