Ian Maatsen declined the offer to join another Premier League club and is on the brink of transferring to Borussia Dortmund.
While Dortmund is keen on acquiring the 21-year-old left-back on loan, reports suggest that Maatsen rejected a lucrative proposal from Burnley, favoring a move to the German side.
This decision comes as a setback for Vincent Kompany, who is already acquainted with Maatsen from his loan spell at Burnley, aiding their promotion to the Premier League last season.
The choice to opt for Dortmund over Burnley isn’t surprising, given the former’s stature as a European giant currently competing in the Champions League. Maatsen, despite fond memories at Turf Moor, appears inclined toward the allure of European football over a potential relegation battle.
The move signifies Maatsen’s aspiration for more playing time, considering his limited opportunities at Chelsea this season, where he has only made one Premier League start. However, the transfer to Dortmund promises him a chance to feature prominently at one of Europe’s top clubs and participate in elite competitions like the Champions League.
For Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino still has Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, and Marc Cucurella as options for the left-back role. Nonetheless, there are reports suggesting Chelsea might explore the market to fill Maatsen’s vacancy. One potential target could be Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, although it seems improbable that the Bundesliga champions would offload such a key player mid-season.
