According to a report from Football.London, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea have exercised a contractual clause to prolong Ian Maatsen’s agreement until June 2025. This move was made to prevent the fullback from leaving for free. The West London club aim to secure a more extended contract in the coming months, but if not, there’s a possibility of his sale in 2024.
Maatsen’s Campaign With The Blues This Season
Ian Maatsen’s journey with Chelsea this season has been filled with opportunities, though he has not yet solidified a starting position in the Premier League. Despite making eight appearances for the West London club, he has only been in the starting lineup twice during League Cup matches and has yet to record a goal or an assist.
This promising young talent has had sporadic appearances at Stamford Bridge, typically making a meaningful impact as a substitute. As a result, his statistical averages in the English top flight are relatively modest, with 0.5 shots, 0.3 tackles, and 0.2 clearances per game, even though he demonstrated his potential during the preseason tour (statistics provided by whoscored).
Good Decision From Pochettino To Tie Him Down At Chelsea For Another Year?
Since his initiation into Chelsea’s youth ranks, Ian Maatsen has consistently displayed substantial promise and versatility as a left-sided player. While on loan, his performances have generated high hopes regarding his future with the club at Stamford Bridge. Maatsen’s adaptability, capable of functioning as a full-back, midfielder, or central defender, enhances Chelsea’s squad depth, which proves vital during a lengthy season.
As a result of this prudent move, Chelsea has secured Maatsen’s future, ensuring they retain control over his transfer value even if they choose to sell him in the upcoming year. This means that in the event of a potential sale, they can command a substantial transfer fee rather than letting him depart as a free agent next summer.
However, the decision of whether to permit his departure at the end of this season or to extend his contract will rest with Mauricio Pochettino. The Dutch talent possesses immense potential and could potentially become a success story at Stamford Bridge in the foreseeable future.
