With query marks over Andy Robertson‘s long-term function beneath Arne Slot, Liverpool might flip their focus again to the Netherlands and goal Ajax’s Jorrel Hato.
All good issues come to an finish ultimately. Or they a minimum of have to be deliberate for.
When you think about how essential he has been to the membership’s success over the previous seven-plus years, it most likely isn’t too hyperbolic to say that the 2017 signing of Andy Robertson for round £8 million from Hull Metropolis – offset by Kevin Stewart going to different approach for the same charge – is without doubt one of the greatest acquisitions in Liverpool’s historical past.
But there’s certainly a rising understanding behind the scenes that the succession course of for the membership’s sensible left-back now must be bumped up the agenda.
The writing isn’t but on the wall for a participant who nonetheless solely turns 31 this season however the pens are a minimum of being readied. Particularly if, primarily based on how he continues for use primarily as a rotation possibility, Kostas Tsimikas is just not seen because the inheritor to Robertson’s left-back throne.
On the not-so-small record of squad to-dos, there are some extra urgent contractual conditions to resolve with Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.
Nevertheless, if the membership is basically dedicated to investing in Arne Slot and placing the squad in the most effective place doable for the inevitable second when the likes of Robertson exit the stage (or a minimum of tackle a extra minor function within the efficiency) then switch proactivity is essential.
Step ahead vastly gifted 18-year-old Dutch defender Jorrel Hato.
Current rumours have instructed that the Ajax academy graduate is being lined up because the alternative for Van Dijk, but he arguably isn’t the particular person Hato needs to be changing in the long run.
A participant reminiscent of Fulham’s Antonee Robinson would even be a wonderful Robertson alternative however in case you’re on the lookout for somebody with the vary of technical, tactical, bodily and psychological attributes most suited to Slot, then Hato suits the invoice.
A expertise that couldn’t be ignored
Final summer time, Ajax needed to steadiness the books and successfully had each participant accessible on the market bar one, who was very a lot off limits, and that was Hato.
After making his debut months earlier than his seventeenth birthday within the 2022/23 season – together with his Eredivisie bow coming beneath now-Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga – he seamlessly made the often-challenging leap for a teen from unproven expertise to established first-teamer.
A bridge symbolically connects the Ajax academy to the 55,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Enviornment however Hato barely ever wanted it.
In two-and-a-half seasons, the person truly born in Rotterdam and a fan of Ajax’s historic rivals Feyenoord has already amassed virtually 100 appearances, the bulk from the beginning.
He’s now one of many first names on the teamsheet for spectacular new Italian coach Francesco Farioli, enjoying as a left-back.
As is usually the case with particular skills, such is the standard of Hato that it may be simple to neglect simply how inexperienced he’s relative to the accountability being positioned on his shoulders.
It was maybe his early readiness for first-team motion that made it much less painful for Ajax to say goodbye to a different former graduate from their famed academy, when Jurrien Timber was bought to Arsenal in 2023. In actual fact, Hato has cited Timber as his first-team mentor.
? March twenty eighth ’23: Captain Oranje U17 ? November twenty first ’23: Debut for @OnsOranje
Pleased ???? birthday to you, Jorrel Hato! ??#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/yocYVgK0MG
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 7, 2024
Sustained worldwide recognition has duly adopted within the UEFA Nations League, with Hato beforehand changing into the second-youngest participant to play for his nation since 1931 when he made his debut in a European Championship qualifier.
With the left aspect of defence an space through which the Oranje has an array of choices, it shouldn’t be held towards Hato if he requires a pair extra campaigns to grow to be established with Ronald Koeman.
Nevertheless, he’ll virtually definitely be within the squad for the 2026 World Cup, primarily based on his present trajectory of growth.
Generally gamers simply look born for the large stage and Hato is one among them.
Technical and bodily
If followers haven’t observed but, ball retention is an important a part of an Arne Slot aspect.
And it gained’t shock you to be taught that Hato is extremely competent on the ball and technically sensible, with the preternatural calmness that defines younger Ajax defenders.
Final season within the Eredivisie he made the third-most passes and produced the most effective cross completion fee. That latter determine is available in at 91 % over the previous yr while enjoying as a full-back who additionally occurs to be amongst the very best percentile for tried passes.
Moreover, he’s within the highest within the league for ball carries, being equally harmful with well-timed overlapping and underlapping runs.
There’s a actual bravery in Hato’s decision-making on the ball, in his runs and in his defensive duties.
And while some defenders might have some signature dishes relating to their vary of passing, Hato can decide from the complete menu, being equally snug enjoying in tight areas or delivering lengthy, penetrating through-balls.
When watching Robertson through the years, it has been the relentless exhausting work and working that has gone down so properly with the Anfield devoted simply as a lot because the brilliance on the ball, the whipped crosses and the aggressive tackles.
Though he’s nonetheless maturing bodily, Hato has already developed the type of bodily traits wanted in top-level Premier League defenders.
He has real pace, is round six-foot tall and is tenacious in his tackling. Previously yr he’s once more one of many highest ranked for aerial duels gained per 90 minutes.
Final marketing campaign he performed each league sport bar the final when he was rested, exhibiting his bodily sturdiness.
Positionally versatile
* Jorrel Hato positions performed and full-back information (Transfermarkt / FBref)
An enormous takeaway from Slot’s tenure thus far has been how he is ready to use gamers successfully in several positions, typically through the matches themselves.
That is an space through which Hato receives one other big tick and one of many huge causes Liverpool needs to be transferring for him. He’s very a lot the archetypal trendy defender when it comes to the alternative ways through which he can be utilized.
On account of the place he initially began enjoying for Ajax, there’s a false impression that his sole place is as a left-sided centre-back, however in his profession he has in actual fact now performed extra video games as a left-back having been transformed totally to the function by Fariolli.
Every of his full 90 minutes for the Netherlands have additionally come there.
Akin to Riccardo Calafiori at Arsenal, Hato gives the twin choices for a coach of being each a extremely progressive full-back (with three targets and 5 assists in 28 video games already this season) and a kind of surprisingly uncommon finds in soccer – a naturally left-footed defender.
If Slot wished to provide Robertson a run of video games but additionally handle the sport time of Van Dijk, Hato would simply match into the captain’s centre-half place.
If wanted, he can be fully snug on the left of a defensive three and can be greater than competent as a left-back tasked with stepping inside into the centre to assist the sitting midfielder and provides extra freedom to the likes of Alexander-Arnold or, if the No. 66 departs, Conor Bradley on the alternative flank.
A pure chief
What has been particularly spectacular with Hato so far isn’t just how rapidly he has grow to be established at Ajax however the setting through which he has executed so.
By ending fifth, the 2023/24 Eredivisie marketing campaign was the membership’s worst in virtually 1 / 4 of a century; encompassing managerial and sporting director sackings, fan riots at matches, excessive participant turnover and an mixture 10-0 loss to Slot’s Feyenoord.
Additionally they did not qualify from their Europa League group.
But amongst the insanity Hato stepped as much as the plate, exhibiting the qualities of persona that make him a probably nice chief on and off pitch.
He has already captained Ajax 3 times, changing into their youngest-ever captain at 17 years and eight months. For many of his profession coming by way of the youth ranks, Hato has been the person with the armband. The one setting the instance.
With a transitional interval maybe not far across the nook, Liverpool might do with pure leaders reminiscent of Hato, somebody who might properly comply with within the footsteps of Van Dijk by captaining his nation.
Financially prudent
Lastly, this is able to be a transfer that makes loads of sense financially.
At current, Hato is valued at about €30 million, based on Transfermarkt. That determine will virtually definitely rise rapidly not solely due to Hato’s continued enchancment and growing profile, however the truth that a number of high European golf equipment are already admiringly wanting his approach.
Though they’ve improved this season after their well-profiled hunch, Ajax can not assure the income of Champions League soccer that’s so important for Eredivisie golf equipment and can know that it’ll quickly be time to money of their chips and probably instigate a bidding struggle.
In a monetary period the place the stakes positioned on wise signings have by no means been larger, transferring early this January, or getting every little thing prepared for a swift transfer subsequent summer time, can be a particularly smart transfer for a participant whose profile, high quality and subsequent price is simply going to develop within the years to return.
For Liverpool followers studying this and looking out on the Premier League success fee of signings from the Netherlands, there’ll probably be some reservations about investing in a younger Eredivisie expertise like Hato.
Nonetheless, each once in a while a participant comes alongside who’s a very generational expertise and easily can’t be ignored.
Over seven years in the past Liverpool made an clever and proactive funding in a gifted younger left-back who went on to do unimaginable issues.
Now could possibly be the second to take action as soon as once more.
