Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen is having a fine season on loan with Burnley in the Championship. But things could have been different had he not listened to the advice of fellow Dutch former academy star Nathan Ake.
Maatsen revealed today that Ake had told him that unless he was going to play every week (which he wasn’t) he was better off moving somewhere he was guaranteed minutes to help him “get to the top.”
While it’s frustrating for all of us fans – we knew how good Maatsen is and were saying all along that buying Marc Cucurella wasn’t necessary – you can totally understand why the youngster followed Ake’s advice.
The incredible season he’s having is proof alone that he made the right call, and plenty of other youngsters kicking around our first team might be wishing they had been more decisive in ensuring they’re playing week in week out, whatever the level.