Ajax head coach John Heitinga says the strength and ‘quality’ of Chelsea’s squad is demonstrated by the fact a ‘difference-maker’ like Jorrel Hato has struggled for minutes under Enzo Maresca this season.

Hato is preparing to lock horns with Ajax in the Champions League group stage this evening, just two months after leaving the Eredivisie outfit in a £37million transfer move to west London.

There is no guarantee of Hato playing a part at Stamford Bridge, though, with Marc Cucurella firmly established as Maresca’s first-choice left-back amid fierce competition for places in Chelsea’s defensive ranks.

Hato – who can also play at centre-half – has been limited to just two starts in the Premier League this season and was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sat

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