“Prepared for anything” – 21-year-old breaks silence on Chelsea future after rejected £15m bid

Chelsea are beginning to receive offers for their players ahead of their planned clear-out this summer and Ian Maatsen is one of those in demand.

The 21-year-old spent the 2022/23 campaign out on loan at Burnley, who were promoted back to the Premier League are winning the Championship.

Maatsen is out of contract next summer and Chelsea have a decision to make with the youngster over his future at Stamford Bridge.

Vincent Kompany wants to bring Maatsen back to Turf Moor next season, but Chelsea turned down a £15 million including add-ons bid from the Clarets, as reported by The Athletic, with the Blues’ valuation set at £20 million.

It’s claimed that Burnley feel there can be a compromise to meet in the middle, but Chelsea are yet to make a final decision on his future.

Maatsen could be loaned out again next season but only if his contract is extended. Chelsea haven’t ruled out keeping him, with Maatsen believing ‘he is capable of competing’ for a spot in Mauricio Pochettino‘s side.

However, the report adds ‘if there are too many players ahead of him in the pecking order, his choice would be to extend his contract and go out on loan again’.

Maatsen has been enjoying his holidays ahead of the U21 European Championships later this month. The left-sided defender is ready to return to action which will get him prepared for his return to Chelsea’s Cobham training centre, with the team expected to report back for pre-season at the beginning of July.

“I think both ways,” responded Maatsen to Chelsea’s in-house media, when asked if he’s found it easier or harder to hit reset and switch your focus to what’s next.

“I had the time to enjoy the win and get my rest, but also I can’t sit still at home so I’m always busy training or just doing stuff. So I’ve just been preparing myself for the next step, to be prepared for anything that comes my way.

“Also this year we’ve got the Under-21 Euros with the national team, so I’m preparing myself for that too. It’s nice to play football for your country and I will come back to Cobham even more prepared, so it’s good.”