Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen has hinted he is not all that keen on a return to the club in the summer, as he feels ‘comfortable’ at Borussia Dortmund.
The full-back has been speaking to Ruhr Nachrichten about his happiness at the German club, who he joined in the January transfer window.
The full-back joined Dortmund on loan in January following a frustrating few months at Chelsea, who he returned to in the summer following a successful loan spell at Burnley.
He had been a key player for Vincent Kompany’s side last season when they were promoted and had looked to join them on a permanent basis, but the two sides couldn’t agree a deal and he remained at Stamford Bridge.
Unlike at Burnley, though, he didn’t have the support of Mauricio Pochettino, though, who consistently refused to hand him chances even when Marc Cucurella struggled, and Ben Chilwell was out injured.
That led to his move in January, and he’s been enjoying himself ever since, establishing himself as a key player once more and proving to be a major hit.
They’re open to a permanent move in the summer but it is unlikely to happen, at least according to reports in Germany, as Chelsea value him too highly, with a €30m release clause in his contrast.
Maatsen, though, has now added his stance into the mix, hinting he’d prefer to remain where he is because he’s enjoying the confidence being shown in him.
“I think the Bundesliga offers you good opportunities to show your talent and quality and develop yourself further,” he said.
“The pace is perhaps a little faster there (in the Premier League), you have more games and therefore less time to regenerate. But even in the Bundesliga you always have to push yourself to the limit.
“I feel the trust of the coach and my teammates, and also that of our fans. That has boosted my self-confidence a little more. I know what I can do, and I try to show that in every game.
“I already knew BVB well because it is a big club and one of the most successful in Germany. I generally watch a lot of football, so I’ve seen BVB games from time to time. I was happy when the club showed interest in me.”
