Chelsea fans demand Ian Maatsen return after Champions League heroics

'Don't sell him!'

Apr 17, 2024 - 00:00
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Chelsea fans demand Ian Maatsen return after Champions League heroics
Ian Maatsen celebrates his goal for Borussia Dortmund against Atletico Madrid
Ian Maatsen scored his first-ever Champions League goal on Tuesday (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea fans have urged the club’s hierarchy not to sell Ian Maatsen after his Champions League heroics for Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

Maatsen scored his first-ever Champions League goal as Dortmund reached the semi-finals with a 4-2 second-leg win over Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

The left-back joined Dortmund on loan in the January transfer window and he will be with the German club until the end of the season – with the Bundesliga side keen to turn it into a permanent deal – according to reports in Germany.

Maatsen was hoping to break into the Chelsea first-team this term under Mauricio Pochettino following an impressive loan at Burnley in 2022-23.

The 22-year-old Dutchman helped Vincent Kompany’s side secure the Championship title and was named in the second-tier Team of the Season.

But Chelsea wanted to sell Maatsen in the summer and even accepted a £31.5m bid from Burnley before he snubbed a permanent switch to Turf Moor.

His lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge saw La Liga giants Barcelona register an interest and it was thought that Chelsea were open to a sale in January.

Borussia Dortmund players celebrate a goal against Atletico Madrid
Borussia Dortmund have booked their spot in the semi-finals (Picture: Getty)

He ultimately joined German side Dortmund on a six-month loan and following his impressive performance against Atletico, Chelsea fans want him to stay.

‘Ian Maatsen what a goal. Don’t sell him @ChelseaFC,’ @CFCDatro posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

‘Chelsea are going to sell Ian Maatsen to Borussia Dortmund for £35m when we’re crying out for a player like him,’ @UberChelseaFC_ added.

‘Maatsen is into the semi finals as a starting LB in the competition we can’t get into,’ @matissearmani said. ‘Talent always talks.’

‘Ian Maatsen wasn’t given a chance by Chelsea this season and now he is scoring CL quarter final goals,’ @ConnCFC posted. ‘Fair play to him, talented player.’

@Celery_brigade, meanwhile, left a tongue-in-cheek comment and said: ‘That Ian Maatsen fella looks good – we should consider buying him.’

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