Chelsea strips Ben Chilwell of his No.21 shirt and hands it to new £38m signing Jorrel Hato, as the Dutch teenager prepares to join the Blues’ defense amid a squad shake-up.
In a surprising move, Chelsea has confirmed that Ben Chilwell, a Champions League winner with the club, no longer has a squad number as part of a significant shake-up. The No.21 shirt, previously worn by Chilwell, has now been assigned to 19-year-old Dutch defender Jorrel Hato, who has joined from Ajax for a £38 million ($51m) fee.
Hato Joins Chelsea with Big Expectations
The highly-rated teenager, who can play both left-back and centre-back, has been brought in as a potential cover for the injured Levi Colwill. While initially expected to provide backup for Marc Cucurella at left-back, the ACL injury to Colwill means that Hato could be asked to fill in at centre-half as well.
“I’m very excited and so happy to be here,” said Hato, who is poised to make his Chelsea debut in a friendly match against Bayer Leverkusen. “I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that, so I’m very happy.”
Ben Chilwell’s Future at Chelsea
Chilwell, who was the last player to wear the No.21 shirt at Chelsea, has been excluded from the current squad list. He is now one of nine players who are part of the so-called ‘bomb squad,’ and it appears that his time at Stamford Bridge could be nearing its end. Chilwell spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace, and further moves are expected before the transfer window closes.
What Does This Mean for Chelsea’s Defense?
With Chelsea continuing their big-spending ways under manager Enzo Maresca, the addition of Hato strengthens their defensive options. The young Dutchman’s versatility could be key for Chelsea as they look to compete on multiple fronts this season, while the uncertainty surrounding Chilwell’s future adds another layer of intrigue to the Blues’ squad reshuffle.
