Pochettino anxious as Man City start chasing Chelsea defender for devastating 2024 transfer
Ian Maatsen and Enzo Fernandez after a Chelsea match
Manchester City are keeping tabs on Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen with a view to a future transfer, according to a report.
Maatsen has been integrated into the Chelsea first team this season following a loan spell with Burnley, whom he declined the chance to re-join following their promotion to the Premier League.
The reason Chelsea accepted Burnley’s bid was because Maatsen is into the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge. They are now working on a new deal for him instead, but risk losing him on a free transfer until anything is signed.
And according to 90min, Man City are now causing concern by showing an interest in the Dutch defender, who could fill the vacancy at left-back in which Pep Guardiola has been searching for a natural option.
Maatsen has demonstrated some versatility across his four appearances since returning to Chelsea, which could make him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s fluid system if he keeps developing.
Still only 21 years old, Maatsen has plenty of time to finetune his game further after already earning the trust of Mauricio Pochettino in west London.
But Pochettino and his staff will now be looking over their shoulders in case Man City formalise their interest.
It is not yet clear if Man City would consider offering cash in January, or would wait until the summer to pick him up on a free transfer.
In recent years, players like Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer have moved from Man City to Chelsea. Mateo Kovacic went in the opposite direction this summer, which may give Maatsen a pathway to follow.
As things stand, the only player who is a left-back by trade in Guardiola’s squad is Sergio Gomez, who is not frequently called upon. There are other left-footed defenders in the backline, though, such as the more central Josko Gvardiol, who joined from RB Leipzig this summer, and ex-Chelsea man, Nathan Ake.
