Chelsea signed 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax on August 3, 2025. It didn’t blow up online, but for fans keeping track of recent transfers, it looked like another clever move.
The fee? A reported £37 million, potentially rising with add-ons, which is a significant investment for a teenager, but in today’s market, not unheard of for someone with his profile.
What made this signing stand out, beyond the player himself, is the fact that Hato became Chelsea’s 49th signing since 2021. Yes, 49. That number tells its own story.
Since the Boehly-Clearlake ownership took over, the club has been on a transfer spree rarely seen in modern football. But while past signings have sparked debates about volume versus value, Hato’s arrival feels different. This one looks targeted, thoughtful, and built for the long term.
That got us thinking where were Liverpool and Manchester United when they made their 49th signing? Going deep into that tells its own story about how different clubs move through the years. But it all adds to what they’ve become today.
What Kind of Signing Is Hato?
On the surface, Jorrel Hato might seem like one of those quiet, technical signings that flies under the radar. But if you pay attention to youth development across Europe, especially in the Netherlands, his name has been buzzing for some time.
Ajax has a reputation for producing top-tier talent, and Hato might just be their next big success story.
He made his first-team debut for Ajax before turning 17, and by the age of 18, he was captaining the side, a rare feat in any top league. You cannot be handed the armband at a club like Ajax unless there’s real substance behind your game and character.
Hato played with a lot of confidence for someone his age. He stayed calm during games and always guide his teammates during difficult period. Even though Ajax really struggled last season, he was one of the few players who stayed consistent.
He’s been really impressive. In the 2024–25 Eredivisie season, no teenager played more minutes than him in the top six leagues.
He finished the season with 6 assists, 2 goals, and more than 92% of his passes were accurate. That’s elite for a defender. And this isn’t sideways passing to pad the stats, he regularly attempted line-breaking passes and progressive carries.
Hato is very smart when defending. He doesn’t need to make risky tackles because he knows where to be before they attack them. He positions his body well, covers spaces intelligently, and rarely gets caught out.
One scout described him as “a cross between Nathan Aké and Lisandro Martínez, with more pace and less aggression.”
But the numbers only tell part of the story. Watching him play, there’s a calmness to his game. He never looks rushed. Even under pressure, he finds a pass, shifts the ball smartly, or steps into midfield to progress play. That’s a rare blend of defensive discipline and technical confidence.
At Chelsea, Hato will likely share position with Marc Cucurella at left-back and can also help out in central defence if needed. This is useful because Levi Colwill’s future at the club isn’t clear, with other teams showing interest in him.
Hato’s ability to play in more than one position makes him a great option for manager Enzo Maresca, who wants defenders that stay calm, pass well, and know where to be on the pitch.
Why Chelsea Keep Signing So Many Players
To fully understand the weight behind Hato’s signing, you need to look at the bigger picture. Since 2021, Chelsea have been in full rebuild mode. The takeover brought in a bold, aggressive transfer strategy.
They weren’t just buying players, they were building an entirely new squad. Or more accurately, multiple squads.
The idea, at least on paper was clever. Sign young talents on long-term contracts, develop them in-house, and create a sustainable pipeline of stars, but football isn’t Football Manager. You can’t just drop 15 teenagers into a Premier League squad and expect instant connection.
After that, things didn’t go well. The squad kept changing, many players got injured, and the coaches aren't sure of what to do. Even expensive players like Mudryk and Madueke struggled to get regular playing time.
Trusted academy stars like Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah were shown the exit. By the time Enzo Maresca was appointed in 2025, Chelsea had lost more than just points, they’d lost identity.
This is why Hato’s signing matters. It suggests a return to a more sensible approach. Instead of splashing £100 million on a high-profile gamble, they’ve invested in a young leader who fits the manager’s system. Hato isn’t a marketing splash, he’s a footballing fit.
And that’s what fans want. Not just shiny new names, but players with purpose. Someone who can grow with the team, not just ride the wage bill.
Liverpool 49th Signings Ago: Nathaniel Clyne (July 2015)
If we rewind back to July 2015, Liverpool’s 49th signing in that modern era was Nathaniel Clyne, signed from Southampton for around £12.5 million. Clyne was 24 years old.
He played a lot of games, had experience in the Premier League already, and joined Liverpool when they needed a good right-back.
He joined the team and gave Liverpool two good seasons. He was a good player, comfortable on the ball and strong when facing opponent one vs one. He became the first name on the team sheet under Brendan Rodgers and early Klopp.
At one point, fans were genuinely happy with the defense when Clyne played. You knew what you were getting, and that kind of reliability is often underrated in football.
Then came injuries. And with injuries came missed chances. And by the time Trent Alexander-Arnold broke into the first team, Clyne’s role quietly faded. He left without much noise, but also without shame.
He had done his job, helped Liverpool stabilize during a transition, and gave them time to develop their next star.
The Clyne signing was about filling a gap. He didn’t change the whole team, but he helped them stay strong. Every great squad needs players like that. And Liverpool got their money’s worth.
Manchester United 49th Signings Ago: Ander Herrera (June 2014)
Manchester United’s 49th signing was Ander Herrera, he joined from Athletic Bilbao in June 2014. Back then, the club was still trying to get better after Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
David Moyes had already been sacked, and Louis van Gaal was just starting his time as manager. The squad lacked structure, energy and identity.
Ander Herrera had a strong personality. He didn’t score many goals or make headlines always, but fans liked him because he always worked hard on the pitch.
He understands the game and played with a lot of passion. He also spoke like a real fan, and that made people respect him more.
In big matches, Herrera was always the best player, not because he was the most skillful, but because he stayed focused. He once completely stopped Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.
He worked hard in midfield against Liverpool and did well. He always played like the game truly mattered to him.
When he left in 2019, he had won three trophies and played almost 200 games. He wasn’t a big-name player, but he was important and made a great impact in the club.
Comparing the Three: Hato, Clyne, and Herrera
When you line these three signings side by side, patterns begin to form:
• Clyne was all about function. A plug-and-play full-back to steady the ship.
• Herrera was about transition. A leader with brains, brought in to hold things together.
• Hato is about the future. A long-term piece meant to evolve with the squad.
The age difference also matters. Hato is just 19. Clyne and Herrera were 24, already more seasoned. That gives Hato more time, but also more risk. You don’t know yet what he’ll become. But you can feel the ceiling is high.
And if you’re a Chelsea fan, that’s the kind of risk you can live with. Because after years of panic buys and squad clutter, Hato feels intentional. Like a real piece of a bigger plan.
Why the 49th Signing Isn’t Just A Number
Why focus on the 49th signing anyway? It’s not a milestone clubs track. But as a fan or football observer, these numbers tell a story.
By the time a club has made 49 signings under a regime, you’ve usually seen what they’re about. Whether they plan short-term or long-term, whether they buy players to win now or players to develop and maybe they panic or prepare.
Chelsea’s 49th signing is Jorrel Hato. That, on its own, is a pretty powerful reflection. After four years of scattergun recruitment, they’ve opted for a young, versatile, intelligent defender. It shows maturity. Maybe even growth.
When you compare that to Liverpool’s 49th. Clyne, a dependable gap-filler and United’s Herrera, a transitional leader. you start to understand each club’s trajectory.
Liverpool were moving toward Klopp’s era and United were rebuilding identity. Chelsea? They’re still searching. But Hato’s arrival is a sign they might finally be looking in the right direction.
Jorrel Hato is Chelsea’s 49th signing in the post-Abramovich era. A 19-year-old with over 100 Ajax appearances and the calm of a seasoned pro.
Nathaniel Clyne was Liverpool’s 49th modern-era signing. A quiet, reliable defender who gave them just enough stability during a crucial time.
Ander Herrera was United’s 49th in 2014. A heartbeat player who brought energy and belief during a messy rebuild.
Each tells a different story. And all three reflect the state of their clubs at the time. For Chelsea, the question now is whether Hato is just another name on a long list or the beginning of something interesting, more thoughtful and more successful.
Chelsea fans what do you think? Is Hato the real deal or just another chapter in the rebuild saga? Drop your thoughts below.