Manchester United have been linked with a surprise swoop for Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato in a move which would kill two birds with one stone for Michael Carrick.
Dutch Dynamo
Hato, 20, arrived at Stamford Bridge from Ajax last summer for £37 million, signing a seven-year deal after already making 111 appearances for the Eredivisie giant. He is a versatile defender, capable of playing at centre-back or, as he has most often with Chelsea, at left-back.
Standing 6’0″, it is believed that the Netherlands international’s best position going forward is at full-back, particularly within the increasingly physical nature of Premier League football, where set-pieces reign supreme.
The stage was set for Hato to cement his place as Chelsea’s starting left-back following Marc Cucurella’s big-money switch to Real Madrid earlier this summer. The arrival of Xabi Alonso as manager has complicated matters, however.
The Spanish tactician is expected to implement the same 3-4-2-1 system which brought him unprecedented success with Bayer Leverkusen. A new wing-back has already been brought in the form of Marco Palestra, who can play on both flanks.
By contrast, Hato does not suit this role, while concerns over his size may hinder his chances in the back three. Nonetheless, Alonso will undoubtedly value the Dutchman’s speed and ball-progression abilities, suggesting he may still carve out a home as a left-sided centre-back.
United approached over deal
One important consideration is Chelsea’s financial state, however, with BlueCo’s addiction to buying and selling players making the latter essential to keep up with the costs of the former. The crushing blow of a 10th-placed finish in the Premier League, and the lack of European football as a result, has only exacerbated this issue – for both economic and competitive reasons.
Speaking to Chelsea Chronicle, transfer insider Ekrem Konur claims Hato is “highly eager to play in the UEFA Champions League next season.” As a result, both Manchester United – alongside title-winners Arsenal – have been “offered” the defender through intermediaries, with sources suggesting a price tag of £43 million has been set.
“Manchester United are planning a long-term overhaul of their defensive line. Their strategy of investing in young talents with high development potential makes Hato’s profile highly attractive. However, no formal bid has been submitted at this stage,” Konur states.
“At Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is well-known for wanting to incorporate dynamic young defenders into his squad planning. Hato’s tactical flexibility — being equally comfortable playing as a centre-back or a left-back — could offer great depth to the Gunners. Arsenal have also not taken any concrete steps yet.”
United are understood to be prioritising a new left-back this summer to provide competition – and a long-term successor – to Luke Shaw. This has become more pressing as Patrick Dorgu looks set to maintain his starting berth further forward under Carrick next season.
However, another centre-back may also be required, given the injury concerns over Matthijs de Ligt – he has not played since November due to a back issue – and Lisandro Martinez, who was forced off in the first half of the World Cup final on Sunday, despite having been “exceptional” throughout the tournament.
With Martinez’s contract set to expire next summer, even if the club retains the option to trigger a one-year extension, the Argentine’s future is far from certain. He turns 29 in January and the club will be reluctant to offer a new deal to a player who has been injured for more than half of his time at Old Trafford.
Final Thoughts
If INEOS took the decision to sell Martinez this summer, while signing Hato as a replacement who can also double up as cover for Shaw, it would be a decision as astute as it is ruthless. But this is exactly the type of call Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox were put in place to make, even if most Manchester United fans would be sad to see El Carnicero go.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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