Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen is a Champions League finalist following Borussia Dortmund’s win against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday night.
It’s been quite a year for Maatsen, who returned to Chelsea last summer following a successful loan spell with Burnley.
The 22-year-old impressed in pre season and turned down a permanent move to Turf Moor despite the two clubs agreeing a fee.
Unfortunately for the Dutchman opportunities were limited at Chelsea with Mauricio Pochettino preferring to play Levi Colwill at left back, and he started just one Premier League game in the first half of the season.
It appeared Chelsea would sell him in January, but instead he signed a new contract with a £35m release clause and joined Dortmund on loan.
Since arriving in Dortmund he hasn’t looked back and has become a key player for the club, scoring in the quarter final against Atletico Madrid, and was part of the defence that kept a clean sheet against the French giants in both legs of the semi final.
In the space of a year Maatsen has gone from the Championship to the Champions League final, it’s some story.
🟡⚫️ Special moment for Ian Maatsen, here with his family after the game.
May 2023, Championship with Burnley.
August 2024, Burnley permanent deal bid rejected by the player.
January 2024, joins BVB on loan.
May 2024, UCL final.
ℹ️🔵 £35m release clause into #CFC contract. pic.twitter.com/yyWRPYjkBQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 7, 2024