Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen has suggested that he is open to leaving Stamford Bridge, amid interest from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Maatsen is struggling for playing time under Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino at the moment.
So, what has Chelsea player Ian Maatsen said about his future amid speculation linking him with Manchester City? Let’s take a look.
What’s the story?
Well, Ian Maatsen has suggested that he is open to leaving Chelsea.
The 21-year-old, who can operate as a left-back, left wing-back or winger, has been on the books of Chelsea since 2018.
The Dutch youngster spent last season on loan at Burnley and helped the Clarets win promotion from the Championship.
90min reported in October that Chelsea could sell the left-back in the January transfer window despite triggering their one-year extension option in his contract.
The report claimed that City are interested in the left-back, with manager Pep Guardiola “a big fan” and keen on bringing him to the Etihad Stadium in the middle of the season.
The youngster has been quoted as saying by Voetbal Primeur that he is open to an exit from Chelsea.
Maatsen said, as transcribed by SportWitness: “In the meantime, I have to keep all options open. I may have to make difficult choices later, but then the club will indicate that.”
Ian Maatsen should consider leaving Chelsea for Manchester City
In my opinion, Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen should seriously consider leaving for Manchester City.
Maatsen is not getting much joy under Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea. The former Tottenham Hotspur head coach is not playing him much at the moment.
Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella are the players who are being deployed at left-back/left wing-back. Maatsen has played just 107 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Of course, Maatsen would have to fight for his place at City. There is no guarantee that manager Pep Guardiola would simply start him all the time.
Moreover, as we have seen with Jack Grealish, players can take a while to get used to Guardiola’s system.
However, if City want Maatsen, then it means that Guardiola likes him and thinks that he could make him better.
I believe that if the 21-year-old Dutch player gets the chance to work with Guardiola, one of the greatest managers of all time, then he should take it.
