Ajax’s interest in Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen is an ‘open secret’ and they are keeping a ‘close eye’ on him ahead of a possible move.
That’s according to Soccer News, who Maatsen could be seen as an ideal signing as they want to focus on Dutch players once again following their disastrous summer.
The website explains that it is an open secret that Ajax have kept a close eye on Maatsen for several years after he left the Netherlands to join Chelsea as a youngster.
It’s felt now could be the time to focus on Dutch players again so the club can rebuild and get players who have ‘the culture and attacking game in their DNA’.
Maatsen would fit the bill and has also gained a lot of experience in England in recent years, first moving to Chelsea and then enjoying several successful loan spells away from Stamford Bridge.
The belief is that he could become a contributing player at Ajax in the long-term, but the problem is that they would have to move in January to get ahead of the competition.
That, though, doesn’t fit into the plans as current head coach John van’t Schip has a different priority, he wants to focus on a controlling midfielder. The club also have sufficient cover at left-back with the current options and players coming through the youth ranks.
Thus, a move for the Chelsea outcast would make little sense at this moment in time, with the Dutch giants not in a position to buy every player on their radar.
They need to make choices and unfortunately one of them is unlikely to be Maatsen, who will have to look further afield for his new club in January if he does want to leave Chelsea.
