Ian Maatsen 'working on' permanent transfer away from Chelsea
- Ian Maatsen joined Borussia Dortmund on loan in January
- Left-back has thrived with Champions League semi-finalists
- Returning to Chelsea this summer is not his preference
The father of Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen has laid into the Blues, criticising the downturn in fortunes since the Todd Boehly-led takeover in 2022 and claiming that many decisions "revolve around money" rather than football.
Maatsen has been on loan at Borussia Dortmund in the second half of this season after struggling to get a look-in at Stamford Bridge. He was among the many Dortmund players who shone during Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg win over Paris Saint-Germain and could end up playing in the final later this month while his parent club struggle for a top half domestic finish.
As conveyed through his father, Edward Maatsen, the 22-year-old appears to have little desire to return to Chelsea. Dortmund is the priority but there are "more options" too.
"We are working on staying at [Dortmund]. The clubs have to fight it out among themselves. Ian is developing well here and things are not going well at Chelsea since they changed ownership," Maatsen Sr. told Dutch publication Voetbal International.
"A lot at that club also revolves around money, which sometimes seems more important than the club's interests. We have more options besides Chelsea and Dortmund, but Dortmund has proven to be a good restart. And look which guys come from there…[Jude] Bellingham and [Erling] Haaland."
Since joining Chelsea's academy from PSV Eindhoven as a 16-year-old, Maatsen has spent time on loan Charlton Athletic, Coventry City and Burnley, helping the latter earn promotion back to the Premier League last season. He made his Chelsea debut at 2019 but has made only 16 appearances.
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