Ian Maatsen speaks on Dortmund transfer amidst Chelsea’s left-back hunt

Ian Maatsen’s future is up in the air, with the player currently impressing on loan at Borussia Dortmund. He had very few opportunities in the first half of the season at Chelsea after returning from his loan spell at Burnley.

And since arriving, he has already picked up two assists and scored a goal while starting all ten available matches for the black and yellow club. He has now revealed the reason why he chose to leave the Blues in the winter transfer window.

Ian Maatsen speaks on Borussia Dortmund transfer in January

🇳🇱 Ian Maatsen: “My plan was to stay at Chelsea but with the pressure they are under it is sometimes difficult for a manager to let everyone play…”.

“I understand that on manager’s point of view. But I want to play football”, told @guardian_sport. pic.twitter.com/FWIba7tz1k

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 13, 2024

“I had trust at Chelsea but with the pressure they are under it is sometimes difficult for a manager to let everyone play. […] You have to deal with it as a young player. Sometimes it’s not fair but maybe it’s the best decision for the club and other teammates. I appreciate that. But I want to play football,” Ian Maatsen said.

“My plan was to stay at Chelsea [but] sometimes football works like this. I didn’t get a lot of opportunities. It’s not the end of the world but you have to be ready. You always have to believe because football can go quickly.”

“[BVB] was the best solution for me. It was a big club where young players can develop. They have had players like Bellingham, Hakimi, Dembélé. I am happy to be here. At Chelsea I trained at a high intensity. I kept believing that when my chance came I would take it. You want to play every game. It was just being patient. Don’t let your standards drop because if you do then you put yourself in a position where the coach says: ‘Maybe that is the reason why he doesn’t play.’”

“Everyone knows my quality. I have the chance to show it here.”

The youngster extended his deal with Chelsea before leaving in January, but there is a 35 million pound release clause in his contract that could be triggered. And it now remains to be seen if Dortmund trigger it before another club makes their interest known.

In addition, if Chelsea are indeed able to sell Marc Cucurella this summer, they could welcome Maatsen back while giving him regular game time, owing to the increase in matches and the injuries to Ben Chilwell.