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Chelsea are now planning to sign the £45m “special” defender ahead of Real Madrid


Chelsea they are now ahead of Real Madrid in the race to sign the “special” talent Enzo Maresca as they look to add the final pieces to their squad in the transfer window.

Chelsea want to sign defenders

Following the confirmation of Wesley Fofana’s injury, Chelsea have been heavily linked with signing a new centre-back this January, though Maresca tried to dispel speculation.

“At the moment I think we are OK,” he explained when asked about the need for another defender, amid links with Premier League star Marc Guehi.

“Time [for Fofana] is between 12 and 16 weeks which is three months and the season could be over. If he can come back early, we’ll all be happy.

“[But] we have Benoit who is close to returning, we have Josh who is doing well, Axel and Levi who can all do well in this position.”

However, defensive reinforcements are likely to be needed sooner rather than later, with no clear alternative to Marco Cucurella in the Blues squad and Ben Chilwell leaving this January after being frozen out for the first half of the campaign.

There are also concerns over the long-term fitness of Chelsea’s current options, which has led to links not only with Marco Guehi, but Castello Lukeba, Tomas Araujo from Benfica and more recently Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabaryni.

They are now being credited with an early lead in the race to sign another option to bolster their backline, which would allow them to kill two birds with one stone.

Chelsea ahead of Real Madrid for a “special” defender

This comes after the Caught Offside report Chelsea lead Real Madrid in the race to sign Ajax sensation Jorrel Hat in what could prove to be a wise value move.

Still only 18 years old, many predict that Hato will go straight to the top, with Football analyst Ben Mattinson called him a “special talent”. The Dutch senior national team player has already played 90 times for Ajax despite his tender years, playing as a center back and more recently as a left back.

Jorrel Hato in 24/25

Appearances

15

Goals/Assists

6

Passing accuracy

88.9%

Tackles and interceptions per 90

3.09

Yellow cards

4

According to the report, Ajax want to keep hold of the teenager, but “if they get an offer between £40/45m it will be difficult for them” to do so, opening the door to his potential departure.

And Chelsea and Todd Boehly “have leapfrogged Real Madrid” in the race to land him, while Arsenal and Liverpool are also thought to be in the mix for him in future transfer windows.

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It is added that Hato, who still has three and a half years left £16,000 a week contract in Amsterdam, “seems ready to continue his career outside the Dutch league” and that Chelsea “plan to sign the player due to his youth and versatility”, a move that would suit their recent transfer policy.

The youngster would indeed provide protection in two key positions for Maresca’s side, he could rotate with Marco Cucurello at left-back when needed, but also replace Levi Colwill, who the Blues also expect a big future for.

Could the addition of Hato lock down Chelsea’s left side of defense for years to come?



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