Burnley defender Ian Maatsen has admitted he expected to be given a chance at Chelsea this season following his successful loan spell with Coventry last season.
The full-back is spending the season on loan at Turf Moor after returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer following a successful loan spell with the Sky Blues last season.
He made 42 appearances for Coventry during that loan deal, scoring three and assisting one in a spell that worked out well for all parties.
He would have been hoping the experience he had gained would have given him a chance of competing for first-team football, or at least being a member Chelsea’s squad this season.
Instead, he was shipped out on loan to Burnley, where he has again established himself as a key player, with 23 appearances in all competitions so far and four goals and four assists to his name.
“To be honest, I did expect to be in better shape after my time at Coventry, but you also have to be lucky with the coach,” he told Voetbal Zone.
“With Tuchel I had a lesser relationship than with Lampard, for example. He was happy with my year at Coventry though, but I soon sensed I was not going to play a role at Chelsea again.
“For me, it makes no sense to sit on the bench, so in consultation with the club I chose not to join them at training camp to the United States.
“They think I’m doing well and compliment me on my productivity. Chelsea see that I am growing. For now, I am focusing on Burnley, after this season we will see how the cards are shuffled.”
