Moving to England and adjusting to life in the Premier League are not easy for foreign players.
Some can cope, others will not, and some will just need to have some time to adapt to the pace and the physicality of what is often considered to be the hardest league in world football.
Jorrel Hato is new to the league and has had a slow start to life in a Chelsea shirt.
But after struggling to find appearances to come by, the Dutchman was finally given a chance from the off against his former club, Ajax, in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The 19-year-old defender managed to impress one and all with his performance at left-back and was also praised by former Premier League goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, for his efforts.
However, speaking after the game, the Dutchman admitted to struggling in a Chelsea shirt and shed light on his tough times since joining the Blues.
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Jorrel Hato opens up about his struggles
Speaking after the game, Hato was quoted on X as saying, “It hasn’t been easy to move from the Dutch league to the Premier League. It is a big step, and I knew that.
“I was maybe struggling a little bit physically and with the tempo of the game in the beginning, [but] I am getting better and better. I am ready when the coach needs me.”
While it's incredibly refreshing to see a player acknowledge his slow start at a new club, Hato put in arguably his best performance in a Chelsea shirt so far in the game against Ajax on Wednesday night.
Hato has shown that he has enough quality and calibre to overcome his slow start at Stamford Bridge and establish himself as a key player for the Blues in the years to come.
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