Chelsea transfers: Can deals for Xavi Simons and Jorrel Hato make Enzo Maresca's side Liverpool's Premier League challengers?

Chelsea are advancing in deals to sign versatile Ajax defender Jorrel Hato and RB Leipzig's dynamic forward Xavi Simons according to reports, and the duo could make the Blues into genuine title contenders.

Enzo Maresca's side have been active in the transfer market once again this summer, bringing in a number of stars to bolster a team that earned qualification for the Champions League and finished just two points shy of Manchester City in 2024-25.

The big-money additions of Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion and Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund are the standout incomings so far, but despite a more than £200m outlay, it appears that their spending is far from over.

Hato is one player that has been reliably linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and the 19-year-old, who can play at both left-back and centre-half, is said to have agreed personal terms already.

Likewise, 22-year-old Simons, who can play as an attacking midfielder or winger, is supposedly open to making the switch and has been engaging in talks regarding personal terms.

The duo have world-class potential, and covering two weak spots in the Blues' XI by securing their signatures could take them to the next level after the significant improvement they have already made under Maresca.

Here, Sports Mole considers how Chelsea's transfer business could make them Liverpool's rivals for the Premier League title in 2025-26.

How might Hato fit into Maresca's Chelsea?

Despite still being a teenager, Hato has made 111 senior appearances during his short career to date, split between left-back and centre-back.

In the long-term, the Dutchman's future lies at the heart of the defence, an area of the Chelsea team that has seen consistent instability in recent years, particularly since the departures of veterans Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta.

The Blues signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham last summer to fill the gap at centre-half, as well as young prospects Renato Veiga from Basel and Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors.

The latter two were loaned out, and with Veiga linked with a permanent move to Atletico Madrid this summer, and Anselmino attracting interest from European clubs, Maresca's side will need to re-examine their options.

Given that neither of the young centre-backs are considered ready to break through at Stamford Bridge, perhaps Chelsea are intrigued by the idea of acquiring a top-tier prospect that also has experience as a starter in UEFA competition and one of the top five leagues.

What could Simons bring to Stamford Bridge?

As for Simons, the La Masia graduate and former Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder has long been considered one of the brightest prospects in his position, and a potential link up with the likes of Cole Palmer could be promising.

After Jadon Sancho's failed loan spell and the departure of Noni Madueke to Arsenal, the Blues have a space in their frontline and the funds to sign a high-calibre player to fill it.

The 22-year-old netted 10 goals and laid on six assists for his teammates across 25 Bundesliga appearances last season, and with eight goals and 11 assists in 2023-24, the Dutchman's penchant for both goalscoring and creativity highlights his well-rounded skillset.

Additionally, the Leipzig star overperformed his expected goals tally by 3.78 in 2024-25, and given that he has done so during both of his campaigns in Germany, it would be fair to say that Simons has proven to be an excellent and efficient finisher.

The multi-talented frontman is capable of featuring across Maresca's new-look offence, and his dynamic threat could compliment Chelsea's other arrivals.

Are the Blues a genuine threat to Liverpool retaining the Premier League title?

Arne Slot's Liverpool won the Premier League title with four games to spare, eventually finishing the season 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

Chelsea ended the term 15 points behind the Reds, and they will have their work cut out for them to close such a gap in the space of only one year.

However, Maresca's side have made a number of shrewd signings this summer, and they look poised to register more in the coming weeks that could boost an already strong Blues squad.

For instance, the Londoners conceded the third fewest goals in the top flight in 2024-25, just two more than the Merseysiders, and the addition of a standout young defender such as Hato could bring them closer to Arsenal's defensive numbers.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Chelsea's tally of 64 goals scored was the least out of any of the Champions League clubs, but given that the Blues have signed four forwards - Pedro, Gittens, Estevao and Liam Delap - and are in talks with Simons, they will almost certainly be more dangerous in 2025-26.