Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has told Jorrel Hato he should wait another year before leaving Ajax amid transfer links with Liverpool.
Hato has emerged as a possible option for the Reds, who will almost certainly be looking to bolster their defense this summer. With Virgil van Dijk’s future still in considerable doubt as his contract ticks down, and Trent Alexander-Arnold seemingly set for a move to Real Madrid, it looks as though Arne Slot will have some gaps to fill in his back four.
Even if Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold stayed, there is a clear need for Liverpool to add to its defensive options, especially with left-back becoming a priority amid some of Andy Robertson’s struggles this season.
Hato may well be the ideal option in that regard. The 19-year-old has operated as both a left-back and center-back since breaking through from Ajax’s academy.
The Netherlands international has been linked with a move to Liverpool recently, with speculation growing after he made a surprise visit to Anfield in January to watch the Reds in action against Ipswich. Fellow countryman and former Chelsea striker Hasselbaink believes a move to the Premier League could be in his near future.
“He’s still very young, but he’s playing week in, week out,” Hasselbaink told Gambling Zone. “In the Netherlands he gets away playing as a center-half. He won’t be able to do that in England.
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“Technically, he’s very good. When he plays at left back, he has the ability to come into midfield. He’s got everything, he’s good with the ball. He can defend, he’s quick enough.”
Hasselbaink though did suggest that Hato should wait a bit longer before leaving Ajax. The teenager played alongside Van Dijk and Cody Gakpo during the international break for the Netherlands, but had a night to forget as he was at fault for Spain’s opening goal before being sent off late on.
“I think it all depends,” Hasselbaink said. “He listens; he’s got a very good agent that is not pushing him to leave the Netherlands quickly. He had an option, he had an offer two years ago to go to one of the big English clubs, I’m not going to name names, but one of the big English clubs.
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“They decided not to do it because they wanted to play week in, week out for Ajax and get experience, make mistakes, learn and that’s what they’ve done.
“They took a lot less money. I don’t know where Hato is mentally, if he is ready for the Premier League or if it’s better for his development to play for another season at Ajax. People forget how young the kid is. If he moved next year, at 19, a bit more mature, maybe that’s the better option.
“There’s so much pressure on you when you’re that young. But, he’s obviously able to handle that. He’s playing for the biggest team in Holland and in the national team as well.”
