8 months ago
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Chelsea loan star Ian Maatsen has revealed that he didn’t want to leave in the January transfer window after he was sent out to Borussia Dortmund.
Maatsen was hoping to break into the Chelsea first-team this term under Mauricio Pochettino following an impressive loan at Burnley in 2022-23.
The 22-year-old Dutchman helped Vincent Kompany’s side secure the Championship title and was named in the second-tier Team of the Season.
But Chelsea wanted to sell Maatsen and even accepted a £31.5m bid from Burnley before he snubbed a permanent switch to Turf Moor.
His lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge saw La Liga giants Barcelona register an interest and it was thought that Chelsea were open to a sale in January.
He ultimately joined German side Dortmund on a six-month loan and was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for January.
Maatsen, who came through the Chelsea academy, has now opened up about the club’s decision to send him out on loan again.
‘I had trust at Chelsea but with the pressure they are under it is sometimes difficult for a manager to let everyone play,’ Maatsen told The Guardian.
‘He has to make decisions for the team. You have to deal with it as a young player. Sometimes it’s not fair but maybe it’s the best decision for the club and other teammates. I appreciate that. But I want to play football.
‘I thought I was ready to compete for the big clubs. But sometimes football works like this. I didn’t get a lot of opportunities. It’s not the end of the world but you have to be ready. You always have to believe because football can go quickly.’
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