Man City-linked Chelsea star 'keeping options open' as 'difficult decision' looms
Tom Weber
- Updated: 18 Nov 2023 18:51 GMT
- 3 min read
Ian Maatsen has admitted that he may be forced to make a 'difficult decision' should his situation at Chelsea not improve.
Heavily relied upon by Mauricio Pochettino in pre-season, the signs for Maatsen looked promising heading into the campaign. However, things have not panned out as expected for the youngster.
Originally a left-back, Pochettino preferred to play the Dutchman further forward, but as there is little room in the Blues' frontline these days, the 21-year-old has seen his game time diminish dramatically since the season kicked off. Maatsen has not started in the Premier League yet this term and has only featured a measly seven times off the bench.
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With contract uncertainty looming over him, Manchester City have been said to be keen on the youngster and a transfer could become a distinct possibility should he continue to rot on the bench.
Maatsen's difficult decision
Perhaps Maatsen regrets not making a permanent switch to Burnley in the summer. The left-back starred under Vincent Kompany last season and had the chance to head back late in the window with Chelsea accepting a lucrative offer for him as he only had a year remaining on his deal.
Maatsen, however, refused, likely heartened by the chances afforded him in pre-season. His contract is still expiring, but reports suggest that the Blues have already triggered his one-year extension - a short-term fix for a potential long-term problem.
At this point, it wouldn't make sense for him to sign a new deal and Chelsea could look to cash in on him again in January. Indeed, the player recently admitted that his future remains up in the air.
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“I still think it’s possible to play more at Chelsea,” Maatsen told AD. “Accepting [you won’t play] is difficult, as a young boy you always want more."
"I get confidence from the manager’s words and I'm ready when the opportunity comes. Meanwhile, I have to keep all options open. Maybe I’ll have to make a difficult decision later on, but then Chelsea will also let me know.”
