Aston Villa have made a significant signing, securing the services of Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen for a reported fee of £35m. The 22-year-old Dutch defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, where he played a key role in helping the Bundesliga club reach the Champions League final. Maatsen is currently with the Netherlands national team at Euro 2024, preparing for a last-16 match against Romania on Tuesday.
This move marks Villa’s second signing of the summer, with striker Lewis Dobbin having joined from Everton. Maatsen originally joined Chelsea in 2019 from PSV Eindhoven and has since had successful loan spells at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Burnley, and Dortmund. Notably, he played a crucial part in Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League in the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals in 39 appearances and earning a place in the Championship Team of the Season.
Although Maatsen started the previous campaign at Chelsea, he struggled to secure regular playing time under manager Mauricio Pochettino. He made 15 appearances across all competitions but found opportunities limited. In January, a six-month loan move to Dortmund was agreed upon after he signed a contract extension until June 2026, which included a release clause that indicated his departure from Chelsea was likely this summer.
During his time in Germany, Maatsen showcased his abilities, featuring in 23 matches and scoring three goals as Dortmund finished fifth in the Bundesliga and suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. With his impressive performances, Maatsen caught the attention of Aston Villa, who have now secured his services.
On the other hand, Chelsea is also making moves in the transfer market. They are reportedly close to finalizing a deal for 18-year-old attacking midfielder Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa, with the fee rumored to be around £19m. This acquisition highlights Chelsea’s commitment to bolstering their squad with young talents and investing in their future success.
Overall, Aston Villa’s signing of Ian Maatsen and Chelsea’s pursuit of Omari Kellyman demonstrate the competitive nature of the Premier League and the clubs’ ambitions to strengthen their teams. Maatsen’s experience at Dortmund and his performances in the Championship have undoubtedly contributed to Villa’s decision to invest in his talent. As for Chelsea, their pursuit of Kellyman highlights their focus on nurturing and developing promising young players. These transfers add excitement and anticipation to the upcoming Premier League season, as fans eagerly await the impact these new additions will have on their respective teams.