Chelsea‘s £38M Defender Jorrel Hato Could Return to Ajax Just Months After Signing

Jorrel Hato’s rise was supposed to follow a familiar modern script. Break through young, earn a big move, adapt quickly, then establish yourself at the elite level. 

Instead, his first few months at Chelsea have been defined by uncertainty, limited minutes, and a growing sense that the timing may not have been right. Now, with January approaching, Ajax are watching closely and reportedly see him as their number 1 left back option.

This is not just another loan rumour floating around during the festive fixture pile-up. It is a situation that raises uncomfortable questions about Chelsea’s squad planning. Ajax’s current defensive needs, and whether one of Europe’s most promising young defenders is at risk of losing momentum at a critical stage of his career.

From Ajax Prodigy To Stamford Bridge Promise

Hato’s reputation was built long before Chelsea entered the picture. At Ajax, he was never treated like a youth player filling gaps. He was trusted. He started games. He captained the side before most players his age had even settled into senior football. 

By the time he left Amsterdam, he had crossed the 100 appearance mark and looked completely at home doing it. Those performances naturally attracted attention across Europe. 

Liverpool monitored him closely, Real Madrid kept tabs on his development, and several clubs admired the calmness and maturity he showed in possession. Chelsea moved the fastest. In the summer of 2025, they agreed a deal worth around £38 million and tied him down to a long-term contract that reflected belief rather than caution.

The logic made sense. Hato could play as a left back or as a left-sided centre back. He was comfortable stepping into midfield during the build-up and rarely looked rushed under pressure. 

For a Chelsea side trying to modernise its defensive structure under Enzo Maresca, he appeared to be a near-perfect fit. Expectations were not that he would dominate immediately, but few imagined he would struggle to get on the pitch at all.

Limited Game Time And A Stalled Development Curve

Reality has been far less kind. Hato’s minutes since arriving at Stamford Bridge have been sporadic at best. Premier League appearances have been limited, starts have been rare, and rhythm has been impossible to find. Every young defender needs consistency to grow, and Hato has been operating without it.

Chelsea’s current priorities partly explain the situation. Maresca has leaned heavily on experience in defensive areas, particularly at left back, where Marc Cucurella has remained the trusted option. 

In high-pressure league matches, managers tend to fall back on familiarity, even if it slows the integration of new signings. There is also the Premier League factor. The physical demands, speed of transitions, and unforgiving nature of mistakes can be brutal for young defenders. 

Without regular exposure, adaptation becomes even harder. Confidence suffers quietly, and development stalls without anyone making a fuss about it. None of this suggests Hato lacks ability. It suggests his environment has not allowed him to express it.

Why Ajax Want Him Back In January

Ajax’s interest in Hato is rooted in practicality. Defensive balance has been an issue, and the club sees a clear opening at left back. Rather than gambling on unfamiliar profiles, they are looking at someone who understands their principles and has already proven he can handle responsibility in their system.

Hato fits that need perfectly. He knows the league, the expectations, and the tactical demands. He would not need weeks to settle or learn patterns. He would walk back into a side that trusts him, values his calmness in possession, and encourages defenders to take initiative rather than play safe.

There is also a human element at play. Confidence matters, especially for young players. Returning to an environment where he previously thrived could be exactly what Hato needs after a frustrating few months. 

Regular starts, clear responsibility, and the chance to lead again could quickly remind everyone why Chelsea invested so heavily in him. From Ajax’s perspective, this is not about revisiting the past. It is about solving a present problem with a player they know can deliver immediately.

What Chelsea Stands To Gain Or Lose

Chelsea face a difficult call. Allowing Hato to return to Ajax on loan could be viewed as a sensible asset management strategy. Regular football at a high level, even outside the Premier League, is often more valuable than the promises of training grounds and bench appearances.

A successful loan spell would sharpen Hato’s match awareness, rebuild confidence, and potentially return him to London as a more assertive and complete defender. That outcome would align with Chelsea’s long-term vision, even if it feels uncomfortable in the short term.

There are risks, though. Sending a £38 million signing back to his former club so quickly invites criticism. It raises questions about recruitment planning and whether the club underestimated the difficulty Hato would face in breaking through immediately. There is also the issue of control. Ajax will prioritise their own objectives, not Chelsea’s development plan.

A strong loan could reignite interest from elite clubs, creating noise Chelsea may not want to deal with so soon after signing him. The decision ultimately reflects how patient Chelsea are willing to be.

The Bigger Picture For Hato’s Career

At 19, Hato’s story is far from being written. Very few defenders reach his level of exposure so early without experiencing turbulence along the way. A return to Ajax would not be a step backwards. It would be a pause, a reset, and potentially a springboard.

His core qualities remain intact. He reads the game well, passes with intelligence, and stays composed under pressure. Those traits do not disappear because of a quiet half-season. They resurface when given the right conditions.

If Ajax provide those conditions in the second half of the campaign, Hato could return to Chelsea better prepared for the Premier League’s demands, both mentally and tactically. Sometimes, development is not about pushing forward at full speed, but about choosing the right path.

Final Verdict

Chelsea signed Jorrel Hato with a clear vision. What they did not anticipate was how quickly circumstances would complicate that vision. Ajax identifying him as their number one left-back option for January underlines how highly he is still rated and how quickly situations can change.

A loan return could benefit all parties if handled with clarity and patience. Ajax strengthened immediately. Hato regains rhythm and confidence. Chelsea protects a valuable long-term asset rather than allowing it to stagnate.

January now represents a crossroads rather than a setback. How this situation is managed may determine whether Jorrel Hato’s Chelsea chapter becomes a delayed success story or an avoidable misstep in a career that still holds enormous promise.