Ajax’s Champions League campaign went from bad to worse on Tuesday night as they were thrashed 4-0 by Marseille at home, their second straight defeat in the competition that has piled even more pressure on their under-fire manager John Heitinga. But despite the humiliation, the Dutchman insists he is not worried about his position at the Eredivisie side.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was at his brilliant best in Marseille’s 4-0 Champions League win over Ajax on Tuesday, but it was his simple act of humility that impressed Roberto De Zerbi as his 'new-spirited' team rounded off a perfect week. The veteran ran the show as the French side ran rampant with their third straight win since they opened their Champions League campaign with a defeat to Real Madrid.
Clear your calendar for Tuesday and Wednesday nights going forward - the Champions League is back as 36 of Europe's best teams prepare to do battle across the continent over the next nine months. Last season's tournament, complete with the brand-new league phase, turned into an epic, and the 2025-26 edition of the premier club competition on the planet promises to be no different.
Chelsea reportedly want Marc Cucurella to play an important role in helping Jorrel Hato settle into the Premier League. The Blues are on the verge of securing the services of the Dutch teenage defender from Ajax, with the two clubs finally settling on a fee that surpasses the €40 million (£34m/$46m) mark. The 19-year-old is expected to undergo a medical soon before becoming part of Enzo Maresca’s evolving Chelsea squad.
After missing the friendly against Celtic, Jorrel Hato was once again left out of the Ajax squad for their match against Como, amid speculations that the Dutch defender could join Chelsea this summer. The Blues have been in taks with the Eridivisie side since the beginning of July and are now reportedly closing in on securing the 19-year-old's transfer.
Jorrel Hato was left out of Ajax squad for their friendly against Celtic as Chelsea ramp up their pursuit of the Dutch defender. As talks between the Premier League club and the Amsterdam side continue, Hato’s exclusion has been interpreted as a sign that Ajax may be coming to terms with the likelihood of his departure.
Chelsea's move for Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato has hit a roadblock as the Dutch giants have reportedly raised their asking price. Although the Blues have been in advanced talks and believed they had reached personal terms with the defender, Ajax now reportedly want up to €60 million (£52m/$70m) to sanction a transfer, complicating the potential deal this summer.
Chelsea are reportedly pushing forward to finalise the signing of Ajax’s highly-rated defender Jorrel Hato, with the Premier League side now entering the latter stages of negotiations after reaching an agreement with the player on personal terms. While no deal has been reached between the two clubs yet, the transfer fee currently being discussed is in the region of €40 million (£35m/$47m).