Chelsea face fight to keep Ian Maatsen as Champions League eye shock transfer with defender sitting on Blues bench
CHELSEA defender Ian Maatsen is being tracked by Barcelona as the Spanish giants eye a shock transfer.
Todd Boehly‘s Blues accepted a £31.5million offer from Burnley in the summer.
Vincent Kompany was desperate to keep the Dutch defender after he impressed on loan with the Clarets in last season’s promotion campaign.
But Maatsen pulled the plug on the deal as he set his sights on a first-team spot at Stamford Bridge.
It looked like a good decision as the left-back, 21, was one of the breakout stars of the Blues’ pre-season.
However, Maatsen has made just one Premier League start under Mauricio Pochettino this term.
In total, he has featured for just 83 minutes across eight games.
And that’s despite left-back Ben Chilwell being absent due to a hamstring injury.
Instead, Levi Colwill a centre-back by trade, has switched to play in Chilwell’s position.
And, according to the Catalan outlet Sport, Barcelona are ready to pounce.
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The report claims boss Xavi Hernandez will make a final decision on the Netherlands U21 international in January.
Marcos Alonso‘s contract expires next summer and, with his future at Blaugrana uncertain, the Catalan giants are exploring their left-back choices.
Maatsen’s contract runs until June 2025. meaning Chelsea will likely still be up for cashing in before it’s too late.
Poch appeared to be a big fan of the left-back a few months back as he said: “I am so happy with him. He is a player that can play in different positions.
“He has quality, he understands the game, and he is such a clever player.
“So far, he is in my plan, yes. I am so pleased with him, as I’ve said, because of his attitude, commitment and his understanding of the game.”