Former Chelsea and France defender William Gallas has questioned whether two of Chelsea’s major summer signings – Jorrel Hato and Alejandro Garnacho – can make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge.
Concerns Over Hato’s Physicality
Chelsea secured the signature of 19-year-old Jorrel Hato from Ajax this summer, but Gallas is not convinced the young centre-back is ready for the Premier League.
“I don’t think we’ll see him in Champions League games against strong opposition,” Gallas told reporters. “He’s more likely to be looking at playing time in the League Cup, FA Cup, and against weaker Premier League teams.”
Gallas also questioned Hato’s suitability as a centre-half, suggesting his size could be a problem in physical battles with top strikers. He did, however, note that Hato could be a good alternative option to Marc Cucurella at left-back, where he played much of last season for Ajax.
Questions Over Garnacho’s Consistency
The ex-Blue also shared doubts about Alejandro Garnacho, who joined Chelsea from Manchester United. Despite the 21-year-old’s talent, Gallas warned that his mentality and consistency will determine whether he succeeds at Chelsea.
“We’ll see how he does in December when the weather gets tougher and things can get tough,” Gallas said. “If he doesn’t get enough playing time, his energy could run out.”
While acknowledging Garnacho’s potential to become a first-team regular if he performs at his best, Gallas said his up-and-down form at Manchester United leaves a “question mark” over whether he can deliver consistently across a full season.
