Chelsea are involved in contract talks with young left-back Ian Maatsen, who came close to leaving during the summer.
According to Fabrizio Romano via Caught Offside, Chelsea are in talks with Ian aMaatsen over a new contract for the young left back. The 21-year-old defensive prodigy came close to departing the club during the summer window but decided to stay and test himself in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
Ian Maatsen may seem like a new, inexperienced player in this Chelsea setup, but he packs three full seasons of first-team football. One season in League One and two in the Championship has made him a mature professional for his relatively young age.
While he may have found getting into starting lineups at Charlton, Barnsley and Burnley in the last three seasons relatively comfortable, doing that at Chelsea comes with its challenges. Despite their struggles since the start of the current season, Mauricio Pochettino has plenty of senior players to call upon before turning towards Maatsen.
It’s also the reason why Chelsea saw a market opportunity and agreed a deal with Burnley for the sale of the 21-year-old defensive prodigy. Yet, it was Maatsen who refused the transfer and decided to stay at the club in the hope of fighting for his place under Pochettino.
🚨 Ian Maatsen spoke to Chelsea in July and August, but there was no agreement over a new deal. That’s why Chelsea were ready to sell him to Burnley, but he rejected it.
Contract talks are ongoing, but nothing has been decided yet.#CFC
(@FabrizioRomano via @caughtoffside) pic.twitter.com/eVDkMspF1F
— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) September 21, 2023
The Argentine manager did afford him relatively decent game time in four of the five games so far in the Premier League. Whether he can fight his way into becoming a regular remains the question and one on which his long-term future at the club depends.
Maatsen’s talents have attracted considerable interest, with Real Madrid among the admirers. Burnley and other mid-table clubs will also keep their eyes open to the possibility of a January transfer, but now Chelsea have decided to take a new route.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are in talks with Maatsen to offer him a new contract. The Italian journalist said, “There have been further reports about Ian Maatsen and his future at Chelsea, so I thought I’d clarify them here.”
“From what I understand, Maatsen spoke to Chelsea in July and August, but there was no agreement over a new deal. That’s why they were ready to sell him to Burnley, but he rejected the chance to go there.
“Now contract talks remain ongoing, so let’s see what’s going to happen in the next weeks and months ahead of January window. Nothing has been decided yet.”
Chelsea, from a financial point of view, will hope Maatsen agrees to a new contract. Some bigwigs like Manchester City are also keeping tabs on his situation, although they are closing in on signing Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors.
Chelsea, for their part, had thought about a new deal earlier in the summer window. The disagreements with the player may have also promoted them to agree on a sale. However, the 21-year-old defensive prodigy will likely pen new terms in the coming period to end speculation or else Chelsea could risk losing him for free next summer.