As Ajax prepare to face Chelsea in their upcoming Champions League clash, Ajax head coach John Heitinga has stirred the pot with revealing comments about Chelsea’s squad depth and tactical versatility, spotlighting former Ajax star Jorrel Hato’s limited game time at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, are riding high with three consecutive victories across all competitions, positioning them as clear favorites for Wednesday’s encounter. In contrast, Ajax are struggling, winless in their last three matches, with two defeats and a draw. Heitinga, speaking at Tuesday’s press conference, didn’t shy away from highlighting the stark contrast in squad quality, using 19-year-old Hato as a prime example.
“It says a lot about Chelsea that Jorrel doesn’t get much playing time,” said Heitinga, a former Liverpool defender. “He was one of our best players, but he hardly plays here. Their squad is so broad, they can vary a lot.” Hato, who transferred to Chelsea from Ajax in the summer, has made only five appearances this season, starting just three matches. At Ajax, Hato was a mainstay, racking up over 30 Eredivisie appearances in each of the last two seasons. However, at Chelsea, he remains behind Marc Cucurella in the left-back hierarchy and has started just once as a centre-back.
Heitinga, who faced Chelsea last season while with Liverpool, emphasized the need for vigilance. “You have to be on your guard for 90 minutes; they have a lot of quality in every position,” he noted. He also acknowledged Chelsea’s tactical flexibility under Maresca, who primarily employs a 4-2-3-1 formation but frequently adapts his lineup to suit different opponents. For instance, Maresca recently fielded two right-backs, Reece James and Malo Gusto, in the same starting eleven, with Gusto slotting into midfield.
“It’s clear that they are a strong team, so it’s very important that we stick to our game plan,” Heitinga added. “The question is which players they will field tomorrow. They are a powerful team, with lots of positional changes and full-backs who push forward into midfield.”
As Ajax brace for a daunting challenge, Heitinga’s remarks underscore the uphill battle they face against a Chelsea side brimming with depth and adaptability. With Hato’s reduced role serving as a testament to Chelsea’s strength, all eyes will be on how Maresca’s tactical tweaks unfold in this high-stakes Champions League showdown.