Chelsea have decided to make Ian Maatsen available for transfer in January amid interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool.
The Blues have spent massively in the Todd Boehly era but still aren’t getting the desired results.
Sunday’s defeat at Everton means it’s now three defeats in four and just two wins in the last eight games for Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t appear to be under immediate pressure but we may well see some squad changes in 2024 – and a host of players seem to be available.
Ian Maatsen among players Chelsea now willing to sell
TEAMtalk now claim that Chelsea are ready to axe seven players in order to shape Pochettino’s squad.
One of them is left back Ian Maatsen, joining the likes of Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke.
Some of those players have been signed inside the last year but Maatsen is in a different boat.
The Dutchman joined Chelsea from the PSV Eindhoven ranks in 2018 and has spent time out on loan at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City and Burnley.
Maatsen has impressed away from Stamford Bridge but has only played 131 minutes of Premier League action this season.
With no starts to his name, Maatsen is now believed to be available for transfer as he enters the final 18 months of his contract.
Liverpool will be paying attention to Maatsen situation
Maatsen is bound to be a man in demand if Chelsea do sell and TEAMtalk suggested in October that Liverpool have been showing a keen interest.
The Reds may see Maatsen as their long-term left back after seeing him shine on loan at Burnley last season.
A left back is unlikely to be Liverpool’s priority in January, but if Chelsea are willing to sell then Jurgen Klopp and co may pounce.
Maatsen turned down a loan return to Burnley on deadline day, which would have seen him make a permanent £31.5million move next summer.
That is the kind of price Liverpool would be looking at for Maatsen and they will surely play close attention to Chelsea’s stance over a potential January transfer.
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