Chelsea loan army: Keep, loan or sell? Ian Maatsen (Part 8)
In Part 7 of this series, I broke down Marc Guehi’s career at Chelsea and discussed what his future in football looks like. For those who haven’t read the introductory piece to this series, a different player will be the subject of a new article every day. I began with goalkeepers and am currently in the process of working my way up the pitch, with each position group being sorted in order by the way in which they appear on the club’s website.
As I move on with the loan army series, I continue the deep dive into the defensive loanees with Ian Maatsen. Maatsen is highly regarded amongst the fans due to the coverage he received before Ben Chilwell arrived. Many believed the young left back would be the one to dethrone Marcos Alonso and Emerson as Frank Lampard’s first choice. Things obviously look completely different now, but the hype around Maatsen has not dwindled one bit.
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- The next man up for Chelsea: Left back Ian Maatsen
- The next man up for Chelsea: Center forward Mason Burstow
What does Ian Maatsen’s Chelsea career look like?
Maatsen is one of the most recent additions to the club. Whereas players like Jamal Blackman and Trevoh Chalobah have been a part of Chelsea for around 15 years, Maatsen is entering his third season as a Blues player. The Dutch defender began his career with Feyenoord’s academy at the age of seven. He spent four years there before eventually being cut due to his small size. He then made a move across town to Sparta Rotterdam in 2013, determined to continue his footballing career. Maatsen’s stint at Rotterdam was brief as he was promptly scooped up by PSV Eindhoven. He played for Eindhoven’s academy sides for three seasons.
Chelsea made a move for Maatsen back in 2018. His signing for the English giants ended his nine-year youth career in his home country. The Blues discovered the young fullback during his time with The Netherlands’ national teams. Maatsen already has 33 appearances for Holland’s youth teams; scoring three goals for the U17 squad. Despite being a left back by trade, he’s gotten involved in the Chelsea academy teams by showing flexibility. Throughout his brief stint with the Blues’ developmental sides, Maatsen played all over the pitch, appearing in matches as a left back, wingback, centerback and even in central midfield.
While he has not officially graduated from the academy yet, it’s safe to say Maatsen’s time with Chelsea’s youth teams has officially ended. He was given his senior debut under Lampard in the same match as fellow loanee Marc Guehi, coming on as a substitute in the 7-1 win over Grimsby Town in 2019. This appearance came a few months after signing his first professional contract, one which wouldn’t last long as Maatsen was rewarded with a new deal on his 18th birthday in 2020.
Maatsen failed to make any more appearances for Lampard’s side and was loaned out in October as a result. The 18-year-old (now 19) moved to League One’s Charlton Athletic. He’s played in nearly every match for the Addicks, tallying over 35 appearances in total. Maatsen has helped Charlton rise the league table on their journey to promotion; recently scoring his first senior goal from the right winger position in a 1-0 win over Doncaster. The Addicks are unbeaten in their last seven league matches with Maatsen going the distance each time.
This begs the question: what does Chelsea do with Maatsen this summer?
Verdict: Loan
Maatsen is well on his way to making the first team at Chelsea. Unfortunately for the teenager, he plays the one position that has the most depth in Thomas Tuchel’s team at the moment. One of the Blues’ fullbacks will be sold in the summer—most likely Emerson. While that doesn’t mean Maatsen will remain at Stamford Bridge and slot into the first team, it’s one less obstacle he has to hurdle. Tuchel has taken a liking to both Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso, so until the latter departs, Maatsen will remain out on loan.
Next. Chelsea loan army: Keep, loan or sell? Marc Guehi (Part 7). dark
Remember to check back with The Pride of London each and every day as I dive into the largely uncharted world of Chelsea’s famous loan army. Part 9’s subject is defender Matt Miazga.