In the latest of Chelsea’s transfer hiccups, they watched on as forgotten man Ian Maatsen celebrated reaching the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund, just a few months on from being cast aside and free to leave on loan to the Bundesliga outfit.
Related articles
Maatsen was on a high at the beginning of the season, having just won the Championship title as a key member of Burnley’s team, ready to make his mark at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino rather than going back out on loan to Vincent Kompany’s side.
However, the 22-year-old Dutchman made just one Premier League start at Chelsea and was often trialled in several positions as opposed to his favoured left-back role. Both Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella have had form and fitness issues throughout the campaign but Maatsen was still deemed surplus to requirements.
But given a starting role on the left of defence by Edin Terzic, Maatsen has shined in Germany and impressed again as part of a well-drilled Dortmund defence that reached the Champions League final with a 1-0 second-leg win at Paris Saint-Germain.
Watch all the Premier League and Champions League drama unfold on TNT Sports
Chelsea and co-owner Todd Boehly will likely be furious that they were unable to harness Maatsen’s quality this season under Pochettino and to make matters worse, they may lose the Netherlands international permanently after failing to integrate him into the Blues first team.
"We are working on staying at the club (Dortmund)," Maatsen’s dad Edward told Voetbal International. "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.
"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, [Erling] Haaland."
Don't miss...
Chelsea gain advantage in Arsenal battle with Osimhen swap deal opportunity [GOSSIP]
Chelsea first summer sale 'confirmed' as Blues set to lose player Sterling loves [LATEST]
Transfer news - Arsenal given £85m hope, Chelsea double departure [TRANSFERS]
Maatsen himself insisted that “all options are open” regarding his future, despite signing a two-year contract extension at Chelsea before joining Dortmund. Football.London claim that as part of those fresh terms, he has a £35million release clause which could be activated this summer.
But for Chelsea, the most disappointing aspect will be that Maatsen’s enormous potential could have been realised at Stamford Bridge this season. With the majority of their £1billion outlay coming on talented youngsters, most of whom have struggled to make an impact, they had a gem already at the club who was overlooked.
And instead of a few more sporadic appearances in England, Maatsen took the onus on himself to head to Dortmund where his ambition has been rewarded, as he gears up for a Champions League final against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
