Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen is having the time of his life since joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.
Ian Maatsen, 22, spent the first half of this season getting sporadic minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Following his move to Germany a couple of months ago, the left-back’s been starting matches regularly and impressing with his all-round game.
The Dutch full-back completed 90 minutes last night in Dortmund’s 2-0 home win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. As a result of yesterday’s victory in the second leg of a last-16 tie, Dortmund booked their spot in the quarter-final draw of Europe’s elite club competition.
Speaking via The Guardian this week, Maatsen admitted that he thought he would play more at Chelsea this season.
In fairness, his switch to Dortmund has worked a treat for him and the attack-mined left-back slotted into their starting XI effortlessly from day one.
HITC reported last month that Bundesliga giants Dortmund are hoping to strike a deal to sign Maatsen from Chelsea on a permanent basis. The player would be keen on moving permanently, too.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph has said Chelsea will demand any buyers pay Maatsen’s £35 million release clause in full this summer.
We think Maatsen’s good enough to make an impact in the current set-up at Chelsea, but our guess is we won’t see him back. Perhaps this is another future star we’ll regret letting slip through our fingers.
Borussia Dortmund fans react to Ian Maatsen
On a really positive night for Dortmund in Europe, their supporters were equally delighted with Maatsen’s individual display versus PSV.
Here are some Dortmund fans on X discussing the Chelsea loanee:
One fan wrote: “Very pleased with Maatsen’s performance today so far.”
Another posted: “… I also feel like Maatsen had an underrated half…”
A third claimed: “Maatsen absolutely dominates Bakayoko so far, we need to buy him please.”
Another said: “Maatsen what a tackle.”
A fifth supporter wrote: “I thought it obviously will be Kobel (the Player of the Match), but even Hummels and Maatsen deserved it more…”
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