Chelsea loan star Ian Maatsen revealed that he didn’t want to leave during the January transfer window after being sent out to Borussia Dortmund.
Maatsen had hoped to join the Chelsea first-team this season under Mauricio Pochettino after doing well on loan at Burnley in 2022-23.
The 22-year-old Dutchman helped Vincent Kompany’s team win the Championship title and was chosen for the second-tier Team of the Season.
But Chelsea wanted to offload Maatsen and even agreed to a £31.5m offer from Burnley before he rejected a permanent move to Turf Moor due to.
His lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge led to La Liga giants Barcelona showing interest and it was believed that Chelsea were willing to sell in January.
He later joined German team 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 spoken about the club’s decision to loan him out 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.’
