Manchester City have today been linked with Ian Maatsen – and the youngster is a player rated very highly by former Citizens captain Vincent Kompany.
Maatsen spent last season on loan at Burnley from Chelsea.
It had looked as though he would be heading back to Turf Moor on a permanent deal.
His parent club Chelsea agreed to sell him for just under £32 million.
But the player ultimately decided to stay put at Stamford Bridge.
City are now said be tracking the highly rated Maatsen – and the youngster already has the seal of approval from Kompany.
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What Vincent Kompany said about report Man City target Ian Maatsen
Last term, Maatsen 42 times for Burnley under Kompany, scoring four goals and providing six assists.
The Etihad legend really took a shine to Dutchman Maatsen.
And City fans may like to know what Kompany has actually said about the talented youngster.
Well, in an interview with Sky Sports back in January of this year, he said: “Ian is doing exactly what he needs to be doing. With his stature he’s not making the game about what the other players want, it’s about what he has in terms of his skill and tools.
“He’s part of such a very strong list of players who have done really well for us this season. The ingredients are always the same. He’s got to be coachable in a sense that when he’s not doing well we’ve got to be able to tell him and eventually learn from his mistakes. He’s got to be willing to work hard, he does that terrifically, and get better.
“He’s just turning into something that we expected him to be able to become. He’s a very, very versatile full-back with lots of energy and great potential.”
Chelsea are hoping to tie Maatsen down to a new deal, as he only has one year left.
An encouraging verdict on Maatsen from Kompany
This is a pretty encouragement of Maatsen from Kompany.
He was excellent for Burnley last season in their successful promotion bid, and it’s clear he’s a young player with a very bright future.
We will see if he’s a player City decide to move for in the future.
Obviously at the moment, Pep Guardiola is not really using traditional full-backs so much.
But it’s possible Pep could reinvent once again, and Maatsen would be an exciting signing.