In the first of a new feature speaking to our players about firsts in their football career, we hear from Jorrel Hato, one of this summer’s arrivals at Stamford Bridge.
The Dutchman is only 19, so he didn’t have to travel too far back in time to recall his childhood memories from the sport that has given him so much.
Hato, who made his Chelsea debut in Friday evening’s big win at West Ham, tells us about his first kit, game and goal, among other subjects, so get to know our defender better…
Your first pair of boots were…
I think they were F50s, black. They were nice!
The first kit you owned was…
I played at Ajax, but my dad was a Feyenoord supporter. I am from Rotterdam and I lived next to the stadium, so that was my first kit. I can’t remember which year it was but it a light blue one. When I moved to the Ajax academy, I became an Ajax fan.
Your first team was…
Zwevers. I was six and I played with guys who were eight or nine.
Your first coach was…
I had so many good coaches, my whole time in the academy at Sparta Rotterdam and Ajax everyone helped me in a different way, so I don’t want to name just one.
The first piece of advice that you remember was...
People always told me to never give up and to follow your dreams.
Your first friend in football was…
My local best friend, Divano. We grew up together and always played football together.
The first team-mate you roomed with was…
In the Ajax academy, my first tournament I shared a room with Precious Ugwu, who is playing at Volendam now.
Your first team debut was against…
We played away in the cup against Den Bosch. It was cold! It was my third time on the bench. Minute 80 or 81, I was warming up but I thought I wasn’t going to come on. But then the coach turned to me and I said I was coming on. It was a great feeling. I played I think eight or ten minutes, and it felt great.
The first goal you scored was against…
It was one of my best games, actually. It was already two years ago, against Vitesse. I recovered the ball, dribbled forward, played it to the side, there was a cross and I tapped in. It was a great feeling and we won the game as well, so it was nice.
The first time I was recognised in public was…
It was on a train, actually. I made my debut at a young age, I was 16, and I still travelled on the train. I knew someone had recognised me and they asked me for a picture, it was crazy.
Your first emotion after signing for Chelsea was…
I was very happy. Happy and proud. Really proud of myself.