Chelsea are closing in on their next summer signing – and it could be wrapped up within the next 48 hours.
According to well-connected journalist Ben Jacobs, the Blues are set to complete the signing of Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato, with the deal now in the final stages.
It’s a move that not only strengthens the squad, but also signals the end of the road for Renato Veiga, a player Chelsea brought in last summer with similar intentions. So what changed?
An in-depth report by The Athletic highlights Chelsea’s evolving strategy under new boss Enzo Maresca – a plan built around versatility and rotational depth. With Champions League football back on the agenda, alongside Premier League and domestic cup duties, Maresca needs a squad that can flex, shift, and adapt mid-match and mid-season.
Hato, still just a teenager, is the perfect fit for that philosophy. While his long-term future is likely in central defence, Chelsea plan to use him initially as an inverted left-back, mirroring the role often played by Marc Cucurella last season. In fact, Cucurella is expected to act as a mentor to the young Dutchman, who’s known for his tactical awareness and composure beyond his years.
Why did Chelsea dump Veiga?
In many ways, Renato Veiga was signed to do exactly what Hato is now being brought in for – act as a flexible defensive option who could deputise at left-back when needed. But there was a key difference: Veiga didn’t want the job.
Veiga saw himself as a central midfielder or centre-back – and made it clear he wasn’t interested in being used as backup in wide areas. His priority? Locking down a spot in the heart of defence to keep his Portugal national team ambitions alive ahead of the next World Cup.
That refusal to adapt didn’t sit well with Chelsea, especially under a manager like Maresca, who has repeatedly emphasised the importance of players who are willing to “adapt” and “learn to play in different positions.” As a result, Veiga was loaned out in January and is now up for sale.
A Smart Swap – On and Off the Pitch
What makes this even sweeter for Chelsea is the financial angle. Veiga, still highly rated across Europe, could fetch a transfer fee close to what the Blues are set to pay for Hato. Swapping one young talent for another – but this time one more suited to the manager’s tactical demands – feels like a shrewd piece of business.
At 18, Hato is one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe. His ability to play left-back, centre-back and even step into midfield positions fits perfectly into the kind of fluid system Maresca wants to implement at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s summer rebuild is taking shape, and the club’s commitment to a long-term, flexible squad structure is becoming clearer with every signing. Veiga’s exit may have raised eyebrows initially, but in Hato, Chelsea are not only getting a player willing to play the role – they’re getting one who thrives in it.
If this deal is wrapped up as expected in the next 48 hours, Chelsea fans can look forward to another exciting young addition – one who might just help define the Enzo Maresca era.