Chelsea fans have concluded that it is "over" for one of their first-team stars following the first game under Liam Rosenior.
Rosenior, who signed a six-and-a-half year deal to become Enzo Maresca's replacement at Chelsea, got off to a winning start on Saturday when the Blues thrashed Championship Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the FA Cup third round.
After losing 2-1 to west London rivals Fulham in midweek in a game which Rosenior watched from the stands, Chelsea had five different scorers and struck four times in a dominant second half performance.
The former Strasbourg put his own stamp on the team from the off and allowed a number of fringe players the chance to impress in the fixture.
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Plenty made most of the opportunity, with 19-year-old Jorrel Hato opening the scoring at The Valley with a stunning first goal for the club after signing from Ajax in a £35 million summer deal.
Hato is a left-back by trade but has largely played second fiddle to Marc Cucurella, who has arguably been one of Chelsea's top performers this season.
The Spaniard was sent off against Fulham but after an impressive display from Hato, fans are unsure whether Cucurella will find his way back into the Chelsea side.
One user on X wrote: "Cucurella watch your back HATO is coming."
A second predicted: "With time Hato would be a certified starter at LB, over Cucurella."
A third added: "What a hit from Hato !!Bench is calling Cucurella."
A fourth stated: "Cucurella it’s time to go. Hato is HIM!!!"
Rosenior was "so impressed" with Chelsea star in first game
Although he hasn't been a regular at Stamford Bridge, Hato has already made a huge impression on Rosenior, who liked what he saw from him when he came off the bench in the loss to Fulham.
Against Charlton, the 41-year-old felt it was a complete performance from Hato - hailing his attacking game and the way in which he defended in one-versus-one situations.
Asked about Hato's display following a difficult start to life at Chelsea, Rosenior said: "He's 19. I saw him play at Fulham. I was so impressed with him then. He's taken that form on to another level today. Not just in terms of his goal. I felt his defensive attributes were top.
"His way that he settled the game down in possession, the way he defended one-v-one and still had the energy and speed to get forward to help us into attack. I know a lot of these players. "They're outstanding young players. It's been a really, really good start for him but a really good start for all of them today with me."
Next up for Rosenior and Chelsea is a huge Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Wednesday, before he has his first game managing in the Premier League against Brentford on 17 January.
Topics: Chelsea
Josh Lawless