Ian Maatsen

[Yeboii 1,844]

41 minutes ago, Jason said:

New contract...

 

Wonderful!

[Jase 43,479]

Official confirmation now...

 

[Vesper 30,091]

What Ian Maatsen’s new deal tells us about the future of Chelsea’s left-backs

https://theathletic.com/1666825/2020/03/10/what-ian-maatsens-new-deal-tells-us-about-the-future-of-chelseas-left-backs/

At the end of a week lit up by Billy Gilmour, another exciting talent from the academy has given Chelsea cause to celebrate.

Ian Maatsen, signed from PSV Eindhoven in July 2018, marked his 18th birthday on Tuesday by signing a new contract until the summer of 2024 – and sources have told The Athletic that the club have an option to extend his stay for a further year.

The agreement is partly an indication of the faith Maatsen has in Frank Lampard’s youth movement, which has already yielded senior debuts for him and seven other Cobham graduates since August. But it is also a reflection of the Dutchman’s optimism that he will get a chance to compete for significant first-team minutes as early as next season.

Maatsen was due to enter the final year of his contract this summer and could have chosen to go the same route as Tariq Lamptey, who ran down his first professional deal at Stamford Bridge in order to increase his leverage before eventually opting to join Brighton & Hove Albion in January rather than take Chelsea’s offer.

Lamptey left primarily because he couldn’t see a route to the starting XI at right-back past club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James, who is expected to take the 30-year-old Spaniard’s spot sooner or later. The landscape that confronts Maatsen over at left-back is nowhere near as intimidating.

Many around Chelsea believe neither of Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri are in Lampard’s plans beyond the rest of this season. Each has endured prolonged spells out of the team at the expense of the other, while Azpilicueta has been deployed at left-back ahead of both at times in order to make space for James on the right.

Alonso has returned to prominence in in recent weeks, with three goals in two matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth giving fresh impetus to Chelsea’s stuttering top-four chase, while Emerson has struggled with injury. But neither has been consistent enough to earn Lampard’s trust in a defence that has only rarely achieved stability this season.

Sources told The Athletic in December that Leicester and England left-back Ben Chilwell is Chelsea’s No 1 target to fill the position, though there was always an acceptance that any deal to sign him would have to wait until the end of the season. Porto star Alex Telles has also been widely circulated as an enticing – and cheaper – alternative.

But regardless of who Chelsea end up going for, there is a distinct possibility that their summer transfer dealings will leave an opening in the squad for an understudy at left-back. If this proves the case, Maatsen would prefer to stay on to challenge the man who comes in rather than take one of what are expected to be a wide range of potential loan options.

Keeping him around next season would also benefit Chelsea beyond what he can offer them on the pitch: one more year on the books at Stamford Bridge would see Maatsen qualify as a ‘home-grown’ player by both Premier League and Champions League squad rules, making him more valuable and giving the club more flexibility in recruitment elsewhere in the coming years.

Maatsen has not featured for the first team since making his senior debut as a substitute in the 7-1 rout of Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup in September, though he was included in the group Lampard took to Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the same month, watching the team’s 5-2 win at Molineux in the Premier League from the stands. He has also trained regularly with the seniors at Cobham.

His skill set is a good fit for Lampard’s style. Much like James on the opposite side of the pitch, Maatsen is a modern, attack-minded full-back who is technically accomplished enough to thrive in central midfield, where he played for the duration of Holland’s run to the semi-finals in last year’s Under-17 World Cup in Brazil.

Speaking to The Athletic after the Dutch were eliminated by Mexico in a match that went to extra time, he said: “At Chelsea I play different positions and it’s good for my experience, but I focus on left-back and the left side. I have to improve there a lot more. If I get a chance from [the manager], I will take it with two hands, impress him and show him what I can do.”

Chelsea have some big decisions to make with the left-back position this summer, but Maatsen’s decision to renew is a positive start.

At the very least, Lampard can now factor in a player with a viable chance to become a good long-term option into his squad planning.

[Strike 7,474]

Great. Looks like both Left backs are leaving the club in any case

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

 

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

Charlton fans impressed with his debut.

 

[King Kante 1,643]

20 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

Charlton fans impressed with his debut.

 

Not surprised. He is the player from the next generation of youth products that looks like he could make the first team fairly soon. If we could've shifted Alonso and Emerson, I was expecting him to become LB2 as Dave can play LB if we found it was not working. 

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

First goal in senior football.

 

[Jase 43,479]

Joins Coventry on a season-long loan deal.

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

Scored today. Playing LWB. Coventry surprisingly 3rd place. Maybe another Livramento. 

[DDA 9,924]

Apparently the lad is having a great time at Burnley.. looks like he has something about him.

 

[Vesper 30,091]

great free kick

 

[Hashishi 148]

Something like 4 goals 4 Assists this season (maybe not including the goal Vesper just posted). We should've given him a chance instead of spunking 60m on Cucurella 

[Vesper 30,091]

Vincent Kompany hails Ian Maatsen after Burnley’s win over Swansea 

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/23224260.burnley-boss-vincent-kompany-swansea-city-victory/

Vincent Kompany paid tribute to his young Dutch loan star Ian Maatsen after he fired in the two goals that earned a sixth successive win in the Championship for his Burnley side with a 2-1 triumph at Swansea.

The 20-year-old Chelsea player, who is on a season-long loan at Turf Moor, scored twice in the opening 23 minutes with magnificent left-footed strikes that gave home keeper Steven Benda no chance.

“That second goal just travelled and kept going. Ian has given so much defensively and then he was able to add that to his game – not many players can give you that,” said the Burnley boss.

“The set-up for the free-kick is never a coincidence, but then how he hits it he has to take the credit for that.”

Maatsen struck first from a free-kick outside the Swansea box in the 12th minute and then added his second with a thunderbolt from the left edge of the box. Swansea replied with an Ollie Cooper goal in the 27th minute.

“We started the first half extremely well and recovered a lot of balls and created moment, and changes in transition and out of our possession,” added Kompany.

“Then for about 20-25 minutes they were better than us and on top of us. That’s because they changed it, as Swansea do. If you get a press on them and get a hold on them they change it around and move positions.

“We weren’t able to get the same pressure on them. If Swansea have time on the ball then they are going to hurt you. We went a little bit more compact, but that didn’t work massively for us. In the second half it was an even game.

“We got a press on for the full 45 minutes in the second half and that made us a better team. We also had the better chances in the second half, although the result is the most important thing.

“We burned up a lot of energy and I could see a lot of tired legs at half-time. Then in the second half they just went again. That’s the strength of this team – they just keep going when you think they are about to bend or break.”

[Vesper 30,091]

How Ian Maatsen has become the complete Vincent Kompany player

https://theathletic.com/4060195/2023/01/06/ian-maatsen-vincent-kompany-burnley-Chelsea/

If you were searching for an indication of where Ian Maatsen’s confidence levels are, look no further than his two goals against Swansea City.

The left-back’s first was a sweetly struck free kick, while his second blasted through the hands of Steven Benda, which resulted in his manager Vincent Kompany learning the term, “stayed hit”.

It took Maatsen’s goal contribution total to eight in the Championship (four goals and four assists), with only Jay Rodriguez, Josh Brownhill, Manuel Benson (all 11) and Nathan Tella (10) producing more for Burnley this season.

The Swansea double in the 2-1 victory was a standout performance in what has been an impressive campaign. It is exactly what the 20-year-old was hoping for when he chose Burnley and Kompany in the summer for his latest spell away from Chelsea. While he held hopes of a Premier League loan, Kompany was determined to bring him to Turf Moor.

After conversations with the Belgian, Maatsen saw the club as an attractive proposition because of the style of football Kompany was going to deploy and his role in the free-flowing, attacking, possession-based system.

His aim entering the season was to improve his defensive ability but primarily work on his attacking output. He has already doubled his goals and assist tallies from his time at Coventry City last season. A key development he has been making is with his mentality, learning to act and compete as an elite player every day and in every session.

He’s settled seamlessly into the dressing room and has engaged with local community projects. He is well-liked by his team-mates, forming bonds with many including Tella, as shown in their goal celebrations together.

Maatsen announced himself to Burnley supporters with his opening-night goal against Huddersfield Town, one befitting his forward-thinking role, operating in an advanced position on the left.

Clearly in front of the rest of the defence when he received possession, he drove forward before attempting to find Ashley Barnes in the box.

He continued his run into the area and curled home a shot when the ball broke perfectly for him.

A frequent in-possession trait of Kompany’s side is that they will shift from a back-four out of possession to a three, with one of the full-backs becoming a centre-back and the other advancing. Alternatively, one of Jack Cork or Josh Cullen will drop in from central midfield.

In the early stages of the season, Maatsen was the full-back who more frequently ventured forward, as displayed in the examples below.

It was effective, as his assist against Hull City showed. With Connor Roberts in possession deep on the right, Maatsen was high on the left.

Roberts passed the ball to Cullen, who quickly released Maatsen…

… and he squared the ball for Rodriguez to finish.

It was that high left channel that Maatsen transitioned into for his second goal against Swansea.

After excellent work from Tella, he set the ball for his team-mate to run onto and produce a stunning finish.

Maatsen’s influence cannot be underestimated. He is second in chances created from open play (25), passes played into the box (79) and expected assists (3.54) for Burnley, with only Brownhill registering more in each category.

Broaden the comparison to Championship defenders and only Watford’s Hassane Kamara (36) and Luton Town’s James Bree (32) have created more from open play.

Maatsen’s role has seen him play the fifth most passes into the opposition half (657) of Championship defenders. He is averaging 5.1 progressive passes per 90 minutes, a pass which moves the ball towards the opposition goal by at least 10 yards. It puts him in the top 10 for all Championship players who have played at least 900 minutes. It is the highest in Burnley’s squad.

His attacking positioning was highlighted by his touch map in the opening game against Huddersfield, where he created a season-high six chances, according to Opta…

… and his average position compared to the rest of Burnley’s defence (Maatsen is No 29).

That was the theme throughout the opening spell of Maatsen’s appearances. Against Blackpool, a game Burnley dominated less, he still did a lot of work in the opposition half…

… and his touch map represents that further.

Maatsen was sent off against Blackpool for reacting to a tackle by Sonny Carey, who was also red-carded. The youngster showed his inexperience and when he returned to the team, he struggled to re-find his top form.

He rotated with fellow summer addition Vitinho before suffering a minor injury. He returned for the 1-0 victory over Norwich City at the end of October, the second game of Burnley’s run of 10 league victories in 11 games, and he has started them all.

When Kompany was asked to discuss the importance of the 20-year-old’s role, he noted the attacking work from the opposite full-back and finding balance. While Maatsen was frequently pushing forward, Burnley’s right-back rotated between Roberts and Vitinho and as Burnley have evolved, they have increased their rate of getting forward. Roberts’ goal and assist against Birmingham City is the most recent example.

The balance has been evident in the two goals Maatsen had been involved in before his double against Swansea. Against Queens Park Rangers, both full-backs were advanced. Vitinho’s shot was parried by Seny Dieng…

… and Maatsen was on hand to finish it off.

His last assist, which came in the reverse fixture against Swansea, came via the same combination, with Maatsen crossing from the left…

… for Vitinho to head home at the back post.

He is behind only Taylor Harwood-Bellis (289) and Cullen (199) for most passes played into the final third with 171, and it is here that provides an insight into how Maatsen’s role has evolved during Burnley’s run.

Maatsen’s passes into the final third have shifted drastically from 6.72 per 90 minutes in his first 11 appearances to 13.1 passes per 90. He is not finding himself in high attacking positions as frequently and his average position has dropped.

Take a look at two of Burnley’s most recent victories against Birmingham…

… and Swansea.

One was a dominant 3-0 home victory while the other was a much tougher away game. Both show Maatsen’s position to be level or even deeper than fellow full-back Roberts (wearing No 14).

The touch maps show he is finding himself on the ball in deeper areas, too.

Firstly against Birmingham…

… and then Swansea.

What has reduced is Maatsen’s chance creation. He has only created four opportunities from open play, according to Opta, in his last 10 appearances. Compare that to the 21 in his first 11 games and it is a significant shift.

This could usually lead to the conclusion that his attacking output and performance levels have dropped. That is far from the case.

The emergence of Tella and Anass Zaroury ahead of him has eased the attacking burden, with Zaroury, in particular, keen to hug the touchline, with less need for Maatsen to be as advanced.

He has shown he can dictate play from deep and has shown his vision and range of long passing to build play.

Operating as one of Kompany’s back three in the 3-1 win against Middlesbrough, he stepped out and curled an inch-perfect pass into the path of Johann Berg Gudmundsson who was through on goal.

It has helped Maatsen defensively and he is looking like a complete all-round player, with Kompany praising both elements of his game.

Teams would look to expose the space behind Maatsen, a tactic West Bromwich Albion used successfully. Defensively the unit has tightened up and they have kept five clean sheets in the last 10 games Maatsen has started.

There is no option to buy in Burnley’s loan agreement with Chelsea but the feeling is the club will pursue a permanent deal for Maatsen in the summer, and it is looking increasingly likely that they will be able to offer the defender Premier League football.

Chelsea drive a hard bargain for their young players so it is unlikely the youngster would come cheap. Under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake ownership, they have been reluctant to let their young players go, with only Billy Gilmour departing permanently.

A deal probably suits all parties, although there will no doubt be interest from elsewhere.

His parent club’s recruitment in his position in recent years with the signings of Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella means they are well stocked in that area and a breakthrough for Maatsen looks a long way away.

His contract situation presents Chelsea with a dilemma. Maatsen will have 12 months remaining on his deal with a further one-year extension option, which means his value will only decrease.

The Dutchman is ambitious so will not want to risk stagnating with no regular first-team football.

That discussion will come at the end of the season. The focus now is on helping Burnley to win promotion, which Maatsen will continue to play a big part in.