Chelsea Triggers Contract Extension for Ian Maatsen Amid Barcelona Interest
Chelsea Football Club has exercised a clause in Ian Maatsen’s contract, extending his deal by 12 months. This move comes in response to reported interest from Barcelona, as the highly-rated left-back rejected two new contract offers from Chelsea due to concerns over a lack of first-team opportunities.
Maatsen, who spent last season on loan at Burnley, had the opportunity to join the Clarets for £31.5 million on transfer deadline day. However, he chose to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea. Despite the serious injury suffered by Ben Chilwell, manager Mauricio Pochettino has preferred to deploy Levi Colwill in an unfamiliar role, limiting Maatsen’s playing time to the Carabao Cup.
Barcelona has been monitoring Maatsen’s situation and would have been able to open negotiations for a free transfer in January if Chelsea had not extended his contract until 2025. The defender is expected to be on the bench for Saturday’s London derby against Arsenal, as Pochettino awaits the fitness updates of several key players.
In addition to Maatsen’s situation, Chelsea confirmed setbacks for defender Trevoh Chalobah and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, who have both suffered recent injuries. The duo will undergo further review before continuing their rehabilitation with the club’s medical staff. Armando Broja is also carrying a knock and is likely to start on the bench, with Nicolas Jackson expected to lead the attack.
Despite these challenges, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright predicts that Chelsea will cause problems for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Wright believes that Chelsea’s home advantage will play a significant role in the outcome of the match.
In other news, Chelsea reportedly failed with a “ridiculous” offer to sign West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus, according to the player’s agent. The agent revealed that Chelsea’s offer was not taken seriously by West Ham.
For more stories like this, visit our sport page and follow Metro Sport on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
In conclusion, Chelsea has extended Ian Maatsen’s contract amid interest from Barcelona. The highly-rated left-back rejected new contract offers from Chelsea due to concerns over playing time. Despite injuries to key players, Chelsea is expected to perform well in the upcoming London derby against Arsenal. Additionally, the club’s failed attempt to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham has been revealed. Stay updated with Metro Sport for the latest news in the world of sports.