'Best performer since Christmas' – McFarlane picks unexpected Chelsea player for top praise

Calum McFarlane called Jorrel Hato Chelsea’s “best performer” since Christmas, a stretch but a sign of the improvements from the defender.

Interim manager Calum McFarlane took his final Chelsea press conference today ahead of the game against Sunderland on Sunday.

It was a short one, but he did get a chance to praise a player who has become more prominent in the last few months, even as the team’s form has fallen away.

McFarlane picks out Hato for top praise

“Yeah, it’s always challenging [for a signing], someone so young, coming from a different league,” McFarlane said of Jorrel Hato, who arrived from Ajax last summer.

“I think the Premier League is a really unique league and it takes time to get used to it. I’ve had that conversation with Jorrel when I took the interim charge the first time. Since then, since Christmas, I think he’s been probably our best performer, or one of, alongside a few others, but he’s been exceptional.

“The moment in the [Tottenham] game, the block at the end against [James] Maddison is massive for our season, so that kind of summarises his level. We’re really pleased with Jorrel and he’s in a really good place.”

Reece James sounds like he will be fit for the game on Saturday, with no real injury issues just the general ongoing caution about his minutes.

McFarlane also gave an update on two players who missed out on Tuesday’s game against Tottenham.