A few of Chelsea’s big-money signings from the summer have not been able to hit the ground running since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea bought the likes of Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Jorrel Hato in the last transfer window.
Gittens and Garnacho are yet to score for the Blues, while Hato has only managed to make two starts in the Premier League.
He will be hoping to take on his former club on Wednesday night when Chelsea face Ajax. In the build-up to the match, John Heitinga has spoken about Hato, commenting on his lack of game time this season.
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Jeffrey Bruma has confidence in Jorrel Hato
While Hato is not a key player for Chelsea right now, former Blues defender Jeffrey Bruma is backing his compatriot to become a “pillar” at the club in the future.
“They have a plan for him,” Bruma said via NOS. “They’re bringing in young players at a steady pace. You see that with Hato too. He’s gradually getting more minutes.
“Hato has absolutely nothing to worry about. They’re not paying such a large sum for nothing. They see him as a pillar for the future. He’s not a player for now, but he will be for the coming years.”
Bruma will be able to understand what Hato is going through after being overlooked during his time at Chelsea.
The retired Netherlands international only made 10 first-team appearances at Stamford Bridge. Even so, Bruma has no regrets over snubbing Real Madrid for Chelsea in 2007.
After the Blues’ decision to spend £37m on Hato, you would expect the 19-year-old to get a fairer chance than Bruma, who was signed from Feyenoord’s academy.
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Enzo Maresca admits Jorrel Hato has struggled
Given the fact that he is only 19 and has just moved to the Premier League, it is not a complete surprise that Chelsea’s summer signing has made a slow start.
According to Enzo Maresca, Hato has struggled with English football’s physicality and intensity at times.
“The first two or three weeks, he struggled with physicality and intensity but he is getting better and better,” the Chelsea head coach said.
However, a couple of his performances have been promising. Hato shone against Brighton & Hove Albion, for example, despite Chelsea going on to lose that game 3-1.
He has a lot of potential. Perhaps the former Ajax man will become a pillar at Chelsea in the near future. For now, he will have to bide his time.
