It is astounding to think that since 2022 Chelsea have spent more than £500 million on fourteen defenders and yet still have issues at the back. Transfers are typically rays of sunshine for fans, but Chelsea’s excessive recruitment of late has cast a dark cloud. The lack of successful centre back signings has left supporters feeling particularly numb. Even the arrival of Maxence Lacroix for £52 million has failed to silence the sceptics, with many feeling he falls short of the calibre demanded at a club of Chelsea’s stature. The grass is always greener. And as fans forecast another dip into the market, we wonder whether they can change the weather by looking within.
I believe that Jorrel Hato is Chelsea’s best defender. They just don’t know it yet. The 20-year-old Dutchman was signed from Ajax in the summer of 2025 for £35 million, and his arrival was rather understated given that this was Ajax’s youngest ever captain. That is an outstanding accolade. Ajax is home to some of football’s richest heritage, and my mind instantly races to the legends who preceded Hato in that honour: Cruyff, Van Basten, Koeman, Seedorf and De Boer. And yet, he holds the title.
Erik ten Hag labelled him “one of the best, perhaps the best player in the Eredivisie.” Hato was 17 at the time. There is no smoke without fire, but judging by the temperature here, we may be looking at a volcano. While at Ajax, only Jude Bellingham logged more minutes among players of his generation. Predominantly deployed at centre back, he consistently led the league in passing accuracy, ball recoveries and assists. Total footballer.
Since Thiago Silva departed, there has been a void of leadership at the back. A void that has cost Chelsea hundreds of millions in the transfer market and remains unfilled. And despite all of the above, for the best part of a season, Chelsea simply did not see what was standing in front of them. In his first season he was limited to a supporting role, used across a number of different positions. Perhaps a victim of his own versatility. A lethal weapon being utilised like a Swiss Army knife.
Xabi Alonso has since loaded the weapon. Three assists from five starts, joint most of any defender in the Premier League this season, is a killer’s return. His assist against Everton was a demonstration of speed, power and finesse, galloping past their defence like a prized horse before expertly cutting the ball back for his teammate to slam home.
He is a physical specimen, strong in aerial and ground duels, comfortable on the ball, able to pass and dribble like a midfielder. I recall a young Van Dijk often collecting the ball in defence and striding through the middle of the pitch like he owned it. That is the same aura I am feeling here. Another disciple of Johan Cruyff’s vision of total football.
Alonso has given him positional consistency at full back for now. But his leadership and quality will naturally progress him to the heart of the defence. Where the boy will mature into the leader of men.
Chelsea have been playing their hand poorly. Pumping money into the pot, discarding cards before seeing how they play, and reaching back into the deck for more. In poker, as in football, you do not always know the value of your hand until you start playing it. And while this jack may appear lesser than a king, fortune favours the brave. Waiting for the turn will likely lead straight to a player who will cause his opponents to fold in fear. This is a bet I am confident to raise, any day.
