Chelsea calling time on Ian Maatsen chances, with defender set to join Dutch giants
Chelsea are set to sell Ian Maatsen to Feyenoord despite further interest from within the English system, according to a report.
Maatsen has been owned by Chelsea since 2018, when they brought him to their academy from PSV’s. A senior debut followed in the Carabao Cup in September 2019, but he has never played for the Blues since.
Instead, the left-back spent the 2020-21 season on loan in League One with Charlton Athletic. Then, he stepped up to the Championship for a temporary stint with Coventry City in 2021-22.
He made more than 40 appearances last season, leading Coventry to try and keep him for another season. However, it has now emerged that Chelsea are ready to sell him, two years before his contract expires.
According to 90min, Maatsen is close to sealing a return to Feyenoord. They previously had him in their academy between 2009 and 2013.
He has since developed into a Netherlands under-21 international. Therefore, Feyenoord are now ready to show faith in him. They will be beating Dutch rivals Ajax to his signature; Borussia Dortmund were also tipped to take him to the Bundesliga recently.
Feyenoord’s move for Maatsen comes amid news that they are about to sell Tyrell Malacia to Lyon, despite interest from Manchester United.
The report does not reveal how much Chelsea might make from the transfer. However, it will be a permanent exit for the 20-year-old.
Hence, he will not be one of their potential solutions at left-back ahead of the new season. In that position, Ben Chilwell is first choice, but Marcos Alonso wants to leave and Emerson Palmieri was out on loan – with Malacia’s prospective employers, Lyon – last term.
Ian Maatsen not the man to fill potential Chelsea void
Manager Thomas Tuchel will have to find someone else to rely on in support to Chilwell.
A new signing could be one idea, but Chelsea also have other priorities in the transfer window. There is not an endless supply of funds, despite a willingness to spend.
Therefore, perhaps the reintegration of Emerson Palmieri would be Chelsea’s best option at left-back.
They already considered taking him back in January, but couldn’t agree an interruption of his Lyon loan. Now, though, he is their property again.
Emerson has several other suitors, particularly in Serie A. However, he could be the man Chelsea think about turning to if Alonso leaves.
But it appears left-back is a position where there could be plenty of movement at Stamford Bridge.
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