“I told Barcelona board to help me take him out of Chelsea because Pochetino is a baby coach and does not know how to manage this player”- Barcelona Manager Xavi has identified Chelsea Rolls Royce player of the Year as his top priority signing by January and show Pochetino who is the Boss
Chelsea fullback Ian Maatsen is being chased by Barcelona. The young player is still having a hard time getting into the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge.
Since 2018, the 21-year-old has been with the Blues. However, he has spent the last three seasons on loan at Charlton, Coventry, and most recently Burnley, where he helped them get promoted from the Championship.
Clarets wanted to keep him for the Premier League season and had a bid accepted by Chelsea. However, the Dutchman turned down the offer to stay in west London and show his worth.
This season, Maatsen has played under Mauricio Pochettino. He has come on as a replacement six times in the Premier League and started two times in the League Cup, but it is not quite what he had hoped for.
Pochettino’s team has a lot of great left backs, and Maatsen is having a hard time getting ahead of players like Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, and Levi Colwill.
Sport in Spain says that Barcelona is aware of Maatsen’s position. His contract with Chelsea ends in 2025, so the Blues will want to get rid of him next year.
It’s clear that Maatsen is good enough to play for his country; Ronald Koeman called him up to the most recent Netherlands team.
Even though he didn’t get his first cap against France or Greece, he will be happy to be playing and hopes to make the Dutch team for Euro 2024 next summer if they make it.
Monday’s late goal by Virgil van Dijk gave Koeman’s team a 1-0 win over Greece. This puts them in a great position to qualify, and they will unless they have a terrible game against Republic of Ireland or Gibraltar.
