“I can’t believe that Enzo Maresca would leave such an amazing player on the bench. I wish I had him in my squad” – This is according to Ajax boss as he is left stunned that Chelsea’s “impact player” rarely features for the club

Chelsea’s impressive squad depth means several talented players are left watching from the bench — a situation that has left Ajax manager John Heitinga astonished, particularly regarding one former Ajax star who rarely starts for the Blues.

As Chelsea prepare to face Ajax in their third Champions League group match, they’ll be aiming to build on their narrow victory over Jose Mourinho’s Benfica following an opening loss to Bayern Munich. Manager Enzo Maresca, however, faces a selection headache with multiple injuries, including Cole Palmer’s absence and ongoing concerns about Enzo Fernandez’s fitness.

Ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge, several academy prospects have been training with the senior squad, possibly eyeing a Champions League debut.

One player hoping to feature is Jorrel Hato, who joined Chelsea from Ajax in the summer. The young defender’s potential reunion with his former club adds extra intrigue to the fixture. Despite his reputation and transfer fee, Hato has found himself behind Marc Cucurella in the pecking order, something that surprises Heitinga.

Speaking to The Straits Times, the Ajax boss remarked:

“Just to give an example – Jorrel Hato, one of our best players at Ajax last season, is on the (Chelsea) bench and hardly plays. I think that says a lot about Chelsea’s quality, because Jorrel was a game-changer for us.”

Heitinga also highlighted Chelsea’s physicality and pace, qualities that have impressed him ahead of the matchup, as Ajax continue to search for form in Europe.

Although Hato’s first-team minutes have been limited, he has earned praise behind the scenes at Cobham. Defender Tosin Adarabioyo recently mentioned how well the Dutch youngster has performed in training. His departure has also had a noticeable effect on Ajax, whose defensive record has dipped since his move to England.

With Marc Cucurella set to remain key in Premier League fixtures, the Champions League encounter could present the perfect opportunity for Hato to showcase his talent against familiar opposition.