Chelsea lay down £35m pay or leave ultimatum for Champions League finalist
Fabrizio Romano reveals Chelsea star Ian Maatsen now has higher chances of receiving a call-up for the Netherlands squad ahead of Euro 2024. The injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners have now opened a path to the national team roster for the left-back.
The left-back was loaned to Borussia Dortmund in January. Maatsen initially didn’t receive a call-up from Ronald Koeman despite a strong finish for the team and reaching the Champions League final despite a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are open to selling Maatsen next season, with Dortmund keen on making the move permanent from Stamford Bridge. The Blues have also put a release clause in his contract, which is around £35 million, and whichever club matches the deal will be able to sign the fullback.
Dortmund are reportedly proposing a lesser price, however, they have not yet indicated that they would fulfil the Blues’ release clause. As a result, Chelsea may have to look elsewhere for the 22-year-old. Maatsen’s performance might lure additional teams if he gets called up for the national team.
Moving to Dortmund was a wise decision by the fullback given he wasn’t given enough minutes at Chelsea, and his exit seems likely as Blues wants to generate profit. There are other players who could also leave alongside Maatsen.
It was a strange call from Koeman given Maatsen had such a great season and still didn’t get called up for the Euro 2024. But now he has higher chances, and given that De Jong is injured, Maatsen’s versatility can be used to utilise him as an inverted full-back.
He will further have a chance in the Euro to solidify his status in Europe and become one of the most talented left-backs. Let’s hope that he receives a call-up and that Maatsen shows us what he is capable of at the highest level of football competition.
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