Mr.Tee
Aston Villa has pulled off a significant coup by securing the services of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for a deal valued between £35 million and £40 million, including of add-ons. The 22 years old left-back is set to ink a six-year deal, contingent on passing a medical examination. Maatsen’s switch to Villa is motivated by the allure of Champions League football next season, after a stellar loan spell with Borussia Dortmund where he shone brightly.
Currently with the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024, Maatsen is preparing for a crucial last-16 clash against Romania. He is Villa’s second summer acquisition, following the arrival of striker Lewis Dobbin from Everton.
Chelsea initially snapped up Maatsen from PSV Eindhoven in 2019. He honed his skills through impressive loan stints at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Burnley and most recently Dortmund. His remarkable contributions at Burnley during the 2022-2023 season were pivotal in their promotion to the Premier League, earning him a spot in the Championship Team of the Season after scoring four goals in 39 appearances.
Despite a promising start, Maatsen found regular game time elusive at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, making only 15 appearances across competitions. A pivotal loan to Dortmund in January saw him extend his Chelsea contract by a year until June 2026, with a release clause that set the stage for his summer departure.
During his half-season at Dortmund, Maatsen made 23 appearances, netting three goals and helping the team to a fifth-place Bundesliga finish and a runner-up position in the Champions League after a final defeat to Real Madrid. His departure from Stamford Bridge comes after 16 appearances in total for Chelsea.
