Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is expecting big things from summer signing Jorrel Hato.

Speaking about the talent in his young squad ahead of their Champions League fixture against Benfica, Maresca mentioned Hato as one of 4 summer additions who could make an impact in the competition:

“We have [Alejandro] Garnacho and [Jamie] Gittens that, even though they are young, have already played in this competition. Joao Pedro has never played in this competition, but when he joined us he helped us win the Club World Cup, and Hato will be a top player for Chelsea.”

“They are all talented players who are going to help the club and the team, and with more games they are going to be better and better.”

Hato has had to wait for his chance

The 19-year-old was snapped up from Ajax for £37m in the summer, but he has started just three games so far this campaign; two of which have come over the last week versus Port Vale and Brighton.

Injuries at the back have contributed to Hato getting more minutes on the pitch and he is expected to start against Benfica.

Chelsea have 3 centre-backs sidelined with injury

Tosin Adarabioyo will be out until the next international break with a calf problem, while Wesley Fofana is going through concussion protocols, which means he will be unavailable for the same length of time.

Levi Colwill has effectively been ruled out of contention for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, leaving Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong as the only other fit centre-halves.

After his sending off against Brighton at the weekend, Chalobah won’t be able to face Liverpool on Saturday evening, but he will be in the matchday squad to take on Benfica.

Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here