Borussia Dortmund and West Ham United are both interested in Chelsea star Ian Maatsen
According to Rudy Galetti via X, German giants Borussia Dortmund and UEFA Conference League holders West Ham United are both keen on Chelsea star Ian Maatsen.
The young left-back is a promising player who appeared set to leave Stamford Bridge last summer. A move to Burnley was all but agreed on only for Maatsen to stay put in west London. He has since made 15 appearances for the Blues under Mauricio Pochettino across all competitions.
The number of games are slightly deceiving given that his time on the field amounts to a meagre 378 minutes all put together. While Maatsen is far from a first-choice, his potential is undeniable.
The Blues expect themselves to be active in the January window but will need to offset incoming by raising funds through player sales. Conor Gallagher is one such player touted to be sold while Maatsen has also been handed a rather decent €20m price tag.
Just 21, Maatsen can play anywhere along the left flank and is a versatile player who can impact proceedings at either end of the pitch. In the right system, he can develop into a top-tier left-wing-back.
Dortmund are in the market for a left-back and appear to be enticed by Maatsen’s availability. Ramy Bensabaini is the lone senior player available in the role at the Westfalenstadion and Eden Terzic would welcome a player of Maatsen’s abilities.
Germany has proven itself to be a proving ground of sorts for talented young players and the Chelsea man could rejuvenate his career in the Bundesliga. Dortmund won’t have it easy as West Ham are also in the fray for the 21-year-old.
Aaron Cresswell is not getting any younger while Emerson Palmieri is far from an automatic choice. Maatsen will not just bring young blood into the role but can also potentially future-proof it for a decade.
While Chelsea could certainly ask for more in terms of transfer fee, Maatsen’s contract at the club expires in 2025. He is currently at an age where he should be playing regularly and if Pochettino cannot guarantee it, there is no shortage of suitors who can.
